Langley Heritage Society
23245 Mavis Street Langley, BC, Canada

Waiting for this year’s window boxes to blossom. Thanks to Juli-Anne Paterson for planting the annuals at the station

Oh, to see her on the rails again...

MEMEBERSHIP renewal time! The Langley Heritage Society is proud to be supported by people from throughout Langley. Although our public activities are limited due to the Covid pandemic, we still value your support! Details on how to update your membership here: https://www.langleyheritage.ca/.../15/we-love-our-members/

Thanks to Langley Volunteers for highlighting the work of the Langley Heritage Society during Arts & Culture Week! https://www.langleyheritage.ca/2021/04/26/arts-culture-week/

The Kettle Valley Steam Railway is reaching out to rail fans and history buffs throughout the Okanagan, B.C. and beyond.

"The study aims to model how invasive plants such as Brazilian elodea, European common reed, Dyer’s woad, shiny geranium, mouse ear hawkweed or water hyacinth may take advantage of climate change to establish and spread across the region."

Happy Earth Day. As today is Earth Day, our President, Karen, organised Seniors Helping Seniors Day. With the help from a New Horizons Grant, Karen organized t...he purchase and assembly of over 600 BC Farm Museum Gift Bags for our Local Langley Senior Centres and Facility. Each bag contains one pack of West Coast Seeds Bonnie Henry Pollinator Blend, a few Cherry Tomato and Butter Leaf Lettuce seeds, growing medium and pot, markers & pencil and a book-mark. The bag is held shut with a really nice card. Our volunteers formed an assembly line, with Covid Protocols in place and we were done in a couple of hours. Then Karen, Shelly and Janice delivered our gifts. Hoping these bags bring a little joy to our seniors, watching new life grow and bloom. We have also left a supply in the Museum for our guest to take home with their entry donation. See more

Where there's a will. "Plans for a multi-building development in North Vancouver have been altered to accommodate an ancient cedar tree, after an online petition garnered thousands of signatures to save it."

Jim Foulkes of Surrey (a director with the Langley Heritage Society) was instrumental in helping move and preserve the Anniedale shoolhouse. Historian Jane Watt, who wrote a recent history of Surrey, is also quoted in this article and has been a longtime member of the LHS. We're proud of our peeps!

Spring at the Cenotaph. Stay in your health region and take our Fort Langley walking tour. https://www.langleyheritage.ca/fort-langley/ (And Murrayville tour is here https://www.langleyheritage.ca/murrayville/)

"Over the course of more than 80 years of hard living, the diminutive, grey-haired former White Rock resident had been a ‘blind pig’ (downmarket speakeasy) proprietor, a rumrunner and a brothel-keeper most notably, from 1920 on, in the Tsawwassen area, where she was, and remains, a local legend."

Like a long summer evening...in April!

Massive fire in Willoughby last night. May everyone be safe.

Investigation by the Office of BC Ombudsperson into District of Hope handling of the 1916 Station House resulted in 120-day stop work order under the Heritage Conservation Act. CPHSH's Save the 1916 Hope Station House Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum

Down by the Station. (Helen Williams photo.)

The National Trust highlights Canada's railway history on National Train Day on May 8th. (Of course we have a favourite railway station to add to the list.) https://nationaltrustcanada.ca//all-aboard-for-national-tr

Many people have asked about the significant history of the Hope Station House, which forms part of its status as a heritage building and importance far beyond ...the municipality of Hope. In collaboration with Sherri Kajiwara (Director and Curator of Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre) and Ryan Ellan of Tashme Museum, I have written this post to highlight one of the many reasons why this historic building should remain in Hope, and be preserved for generations to come. This building tells the story of our history good and bad, things to be proud of and things to learn from. This is why it needs to be preserved for us all, not demolished as per the plans of Hope District Council. Please read this post on the Japanese Canadian history within this building, and Like our page to find the links to the petition and templates for writing letters to the mayor and council. Now is the time to make our voices heard. With respect. See more

Historic Alexandra Bridge gets some much needed TLC.

Before there was a Trans-Canada Highway #1 motorists travelled the Yale Road (Trans Provincial Highway) through this part of the Valley (see map). This 1931 booklet was published by the Automobile Club of British Columbia (today's BCAA) and included maps and information for motorists as they explored along an expanding road network. You can view the full booklet via UBC's Open Library: https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcbooks//1.0372919:

You still have time to send in your submission for the Open Mic. Creative Compass Society is launching the Myles of Smiles Musical Showcase on a regular basis starting Nov 28.

Still standing. This BC Electric Railway power station was named after two brothers, Henry and Nathaniel Coghlan, who cut more than 20,000 ties for the BCER when it was constructed through the Fraser Valley 110 years ago. The station is one of five that boosted power to the BCER trains in Cloverdale, Langley, Clayburn, Sumas and Chilliwack along overhead wires. Later, Coghlan Substation provided electricity to the growing communities of Langley, Milner and Fort Langley. Each station was designed by architect Henry Barton Watson in the Classical Revival style of the Edwardian era. Only two remain standing and commuter service has never been the same since they shut it down in the early 50s.

Oldest of its kind on the West Coast, this lighthouse is also known for having the first Canadian female lighthouse keeper in 1879 when widow Amelia Bevis and her neice Mary took over after William Bevis died. Women were not allowed to be lighthouse keepers at that time. #historymatters Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites #lighthouses

Danny knows his stuff -- and is a really engaging guy!

We remember. In our latest newsletter historian Warren Sommer considers the sacrifices Langley men and women made during two world wars. And author Annette Fulford sheds light on pioneer war brides who arrived in Canada following the Great War. https://www.langleyheritage.ca//LHS-Newsletter-Summer-2020

Cariboo Strong. A powerful online exhibit created by the Museum of Cariboo Chilcotin about the devastating forest fires of 2017.

When passenger rail was a popular form of transport on Canada’s railways, the dining car was an elaborate place to eat. Inside the Langley Heritage Society passenger car vestibule, Julie, Juli-Anne, and Helen are having a much needed coffee break from painting at the Fort Langley CNR Station.

A forgotten aspect of war comes to the screen through "Promises". British, Canadian, and Punjabi troops often fought and died side-by-side in both wars.

An eagle eye named Linda noticed we forgot to add Wix to our Index of Roads and Place Names. Everything changed when the Township went to a numbered system in 1946, but the names of the families who built Langley can still be found thanks to Maureen Pepin's book, "Roads & Other Place Names in Langley." https://www.langleyheritage.ca//an-index-of-langley-road-/

In 1828, James Douglas married Amelia Connolly, métis daughter of Miyo Nipiy and Chief Factor William Connolly. Amelia was described as "modest as a wood violet...." Nevertheless, she became known for her steely strength and dignity, eventually rising to the position of First Lady of the Colony of British Columbia. Amelia, like so many other Indigenous women, ensured that her children and grandchildren heard the stories of their people. She taught them pride and ensured that the knowledge of the past was passed into the future. #DouglasDay #AmeliaDouglas

The Budd Rail Diesel Car (RDC) was primarily adopted for short-haul passenger service by both Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific. These self-propelled cars travelled across North America track from the 1950’s to 1980’s. #railwayhistory

Finding new ways to share stories!

World War One gave way to smoother silhouettes, to pockets on women’s clothing, and out with the corset. #fashionhistory #WWI

Buy Local, Give Local. Help keep our heritage communities strong.

Semá:th Xó:tsa: Sts'ólemeqwelh Sxó:tsa (Great Gramma's Lake)" is a children’s book published by The Reach Gallery Museum, in collaboration with Stó:l partners, that tells the story of the draining of Sumas Lake from an Indigenous perspective. Watch this video to hear the see and hear the story narrated by co-authors Thetáx Chris Silver and Xémontélót Carrielynn Victor. https://fb.watch/1WmrqNXT0Q/

What exactly was Langley like 100 years ago? The Langley Centennial Museum has been hard at work to answer this question. Visit the museum's website (museum.tol.ca) and tour the exhibition by clicking on "Virtual Exhibits Tour" #heritagematters

The combined time, energy, and talents of station #volunteers Bill, Julie-Anne, and Julie completed a painting project at the Fort Langley CNR Station. Thank you for your great attitude, laughs, and support of Langley’s heritage. #railwaystation #heritagematters

Annette Fulford's virtual presentation on First World War Brides coming up soon with the Surrey Historical Society. You can read her story about Langley's war brides here: https://www.langleyheritage.ca//first-world-war-brides-to/ From SHS: We are pleased to announce Annette Fulford will be presenting her research regarding local First World War brides via Zoom on November 28 at 11am. If you are interested in joining in the presentation, please send us a message and we can... forward you the link to join in. A great way to learn a little about our local history from the comfort of our own homes. To read a little more about her work, please see her informative website: http://ww1warbrides.blogspot.com/ She has also been featured on CBC as well: https://www.cbc.ca/.../briti.../war-brides-history-1.5352428 See more

Geraniums and impatiens have made way for the cute faces of winter pansies in the CNR Station’s window boxes. Thanks to our station volunteer Juli-Anne for her gardening skills and time in planting and deadheading the plants throughout the year. #fortlangley #stationgarden #heritagerailway

Belated Douglas Day greetings. The colony of British Columbia was proclaimed in Fort Langley in 1858...also a November 19th.

CARES gets creative. This cat shelter is housed on one of the heritage properties managed by the Langley Heritage Society.

Another piece of the puzzle revealed about the Tseshaht First Nation local wool economy. The small "wool dogs" that once lived with Tseshaht First Nation disappeared with the introduction of cheap sheep wool available from Hudson's Bay Company.

We can all play a role in keeping our waterways, catchments and oceans clean and healthy for future generations as well as the plants and animals that rely on them. Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society - BCES #aldergrove

There's a new exhibit exploring sustainable textiles in an age of rising clothing consumption at the Museum of Surrey. Tickets are free, you need only pre-register on their website.

A virtual Remembrance Day. LHS will honour those who sacrificed with wreaths at Murrayville, Langley City, Fort Langley and Aldergrove.

Sea Island Airport Airdrome with hangar doors open, 1931. http://ow.ly/T8xD50B409k #YVR #VancouverAirport #Airdrome #Entrance

"Elders and a land advisory group within the KFN opposed the project"

Wild cranberries were among the first trade items between Katzie people and the HBC Fort.

New at the Surrey Museum.

Adding family stories to Aldergrove's history.

A posed shot at the entrance of the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel , 1946. https://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/harrison-hot-springs-ho #HarrisonHotSprings #Entrance

September 30th marked Orange Shirt Day a day to remember the thousands of Indigenous children who attended residential schools across this country. Learn more through the online archives at National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.

Big things are happening in Hope.

Grave Tales is back this October at Fort Langley National Historic Site. Adult-only, smaller groups, and a modified spooky tour route to keep everyone safe. Advance tickets required #FortLangley #heritage

Late-night walks and ghost hunts like Grave Tales at the Fort Langley National Historic Site are a growing attraction in many communities. Advocating for both historic sites and their ghostly residents, they teach visitors about their historical significance. #heritagematters #paranormaltourism

To steal from the legion I don’t get it.

Needing some shelving at the BC Farm Museum, George and the fellows started up the Red Stone Saw Mill. With a little help from the Fordson Major, they were sawing wood. #heritagematters #fortlangley #vintagepower

While the museum remains closed, Roaring! Langley in the 1920s can be visited virtually at museum.tol.ca.

"Not only have District of West Vancouver councillors voted to halt talk of demolishing the building but they also put the wheels in motion towards giving the district’s oldest house a formal heritage designation."

The harvest is on!

Our friends at the Surrey Historical Society will be presenting a virtual conference with the British Columbia Historical Federation next June.