Latest News
SHS Fall Speakers Series at the Brackendale Art Gallery:
50 Years of the District of Squamish
November 2014
Join the SHS at 7 PM Thursday, November 13 to hear about "Squamish Fifty Years of Change and Challenges"with former Squamish Mayor, Corinne Lonsdale, A Long-time Squamish resident, Corinne Lonsdale is the first person to receive the District of Squamish's prestigious "Freedom of the Municipality" award for her tireless work on behalf of the community & for her nearly 30 years in civic office, both as a councillor & as mayor. She was first elected in 1983, & establishing a historical milestone in 1993 by becoming our first female mayor. In 1964 the town of Squamish & outlying communities amalgamated to form the District of Squamish. With the 50th anniversary of that momentous event fast approaching, this presentation will offer not only unique insights into one of our most formative historical periods, but also candid opinions about the district’s future directions.
Admission by donation.
SHS Fall Speakers Series at the Brackendale Art Gallery: Geology
October 2014
Join the SHS at 7 PM Thursday, October 9 to learn more about “The Geolgical History of Squamish" with Steve Quane, Steve teaches at Quest University Canada and holds a PhD from UBC in experimental volcanology. After completing his studies he was selected as the American Geological Institute's Congressional Science Fellow and served as a science advisor for then Congressman, now U.S. Senator, Tom Udall. He taught for three years as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Geology Department at Colorado College, and taught field courses in Hawaii, Mexico, British Columbia and throughout the U.S. Southwest and Yellowstone National Park. His presentation will focus on the geological foundation of the Sea to Sky Corridor and will offer singular insights into the ever changing physical environment we call home. Steve was a plenary speaker at the Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival at Quest University Canada in November 2012.
Admission by donation.
SHS Fall Speakers Series at the Brackendale Art Gallery: Geography
September 2014
Join the SHS at 7 PM Thursday, September 11 to learn more about “The role of Geography in the Settlement and Historical Development of our Valley”with Ellen Grant. Ellen is the granddaughter of settlers Barbara Annie and Henry (Harry) Judd. Six generations of her family have made this area their home. She has lived in the Valley for 70+ years and taught in the schools here for 37 of those years until retirement. The valley has been her playground and her teacher; she has explored every nook and cranny. She hopes to bring her personal experiences and opinions to a discussion of the Valley’s past, and perhaps a possible glimpse of our future, during a question and answer period.
Admission is by donation.
SHS- SFFA Don Behrner Memorial Scholarship Awarded to Erika Carney
June 2014
Every year, the Squamish Historical Society in conjunction with the Squamish Fire Fighters Association present $750 to a graduating Howe Sound Secondary Student. The late Don Behrner was active with the SFFA and was an executive director of the SHS before he passed away in 2010.
The Howe Sound Secondary School Scholarship night took place on Monday, June 2 in the Eagle Eye Theatre. This year's winner of the $750 Don Behrner Memorial Award was Erika Carney (center). Erika is pictured with her proud grandfather, Owen Carney (left) and SHS President, Bianca Peters (right). Erika will be attending the University of Victoria in September.
Squamish Museum Opens
May 2014
The Wilkie Station building is ready to open it's doors 12 PM- 2 PM Saturday, May 10 at the West Coast Railway Heritage park. The Squamish Historical Society's first museum has come a long way since it's days as a railway tool shed behind the CN Station (Pacific Central) in Vancouver. The WCRA named it Wilkie after Dave Wilkie a very well known BC railway photographer. The Wilkie Building found it's way to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park and served as the Park's first gift shop. In 2009, the WCRA donated the building to the Squamish Historical Society. Thanks to a grant from the Squamish Community Foundation, and the assistance of Squamish Mills in moving the building to its current location. Other sponsors include, Onside Restoration, Haymack Glass, Coast Aggregates, RONA, Squamish Lions, Triton Steel and Squamish Mills/ John Drenka.
Everyone is invited to attend the opening. FREE hotdogs will be served.
Judd Organ Returns to Brackendale 124 Years Later
Feb 23, 2014
It's been 124 years since the Judd family paddled up the Squamish River to Brackendale with all their belongings, including their organ (picture attached), in a dug-out canoe. Today, their organ was donated to the Squamish Historical Society by descendant Peter Judd in Vancouver however this time, the organ arrived back in Brackendale via the highway in the back of a truck. In the organ is a note that covers its beginnings and connection to our community. This is what it says:
History of the JUDD ORGAN
“This reed organ was purchased in London, Ontario, by Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Judd quite a few years before they and their family moved to the west coast in 1892. The Judd family, (Thomas and Nancy) , their eldest son, Harry daughter Rilla, (later Mrs. H. J. Edwards), and youngest son Wilby, were going to live in Brackendale, B.C. They had to take all their belongings including the organ, from Vancouver up to Squamish in a tug boat, the largest type of boat serving that area in those days. As there was no other way to get the organ from Squamish to Brackendale, Harry Judd, who already been homesteading in Brackendale for about three years, hired some Indians to take it up the fairly swift Squamish River in their dug-out canoe. The Indians certainly knew how to handle their heavily laden canoe as they arrived at their destination safe and sound. Mr. Thomas Judd passed away in 1910. Mrs. Judd sold the farm and moved to Vancouver in October of that year to live with her daughter. She brought the organ with her and it has been very much enjoyed by all. Now, September 1, 1967, Mrs. Judd’s great grandson Phillip Judd and his family, took the organ in the trunk of their car to their home in Victoria, where it will still be very much enjoyed.”
The Squamish Historical Society is displaying the organ at the Brackendale Art Gallery. It is in good working order and the SHS hopes to have someone perform on it at the upcoming 2014 Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival May 2 & 3 at Quest University Canada. Also donated was a set of encyclopedia’s published in 1912.
2014 Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival: Before With After Promotion Campaign Launched in Brackendale
Feb 12, 2014
The Squamish Historical Society’s Betty Adamson and Bianca Peters launch a “Before with After” historical poster campaign promoting the upcoming 2014 Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival taking place May 2 and 3, 2014 at Quest University Canada. Adamson and Peters pose with an image of the former Brackendale “Bracken Arms” Hotel which burned down in 1914. The hotel’s fireplace and chimney, as seen behind the sign, still remain to this day in Brackendale on Government Road. Be on the lookout for more “Before with After” posters popping up around town leading up to the Festival.
2014 Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival Logo unveiled to Squamish Nation Elders at Totem Hall Lunch
Feb 12, 2014
The Squamish Historical Society’s Bianca Peters, Betty Adamson and Mike Jenson presented the 2014 Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival logo to the Squamish Nation Elders at their weekly luncheon at Totem Hall today. Pictured from left to right are: Buddy Leski, Gwen Harry, Art Harry, Chief Alana Andrews and SHS President, Bianca Peters with a 2014 SC&HF poster. The Squamish Nation will be an active participant in the festival. The 2014 Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival takes place May 2 and 3, 2014 at Quest University Canada.
2014 Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival Logo unveiled; Volunteers sought
Feb 3, 2014
The Squamish Historical Society has unveilied its new logo for the Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival taking place May 2 and 3, 2014 at Quest University Canada. The logo was designed locally by In Biz. The design incorporates familiar elements of the evolution of Squamish, including the eagle, salmon, railroad, truck loggers, the Squamish Chief, climbing and biking. The 2014 Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival is a Squamish Historical Society event produced with funding from Canadian Heritage: Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program.
The Squamish Historical Society will be hosting an information meeting and signing up volunteers for the 2014 Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival at 7 pm Thursday, Febraury 13 at the Living Room restaurant at the Executive Suites Hotel. 40900 Tantalus Road. For more information or to get involved, please email info@squamishhistory,ca..
Donation: Nichols Photo Collection
November 14, 2013
On Thursday, November 14 at the Laughing Turtle Trail presentation by Meg Fellowes at Brackendale Art Gallery, a special guest was in the audience. Rob Kellner, who had made contact with the SHS via our facebook page, brought his collection of 200 photographs of the Nichols family that he had come into his possession by chance. In 2001, Kellner rescued a bag of photos that were destined for the garbage only to discover 80% of them to be taken in Squamish and the surrounding areas between the 1920's and 1950's. Apparently there is a marital connection to the Halvorson family which the SHS will be further investigating. Kellner has graciously donated the entire collection to the SHS for digitization and sharing with our online community. Be on the look out for the Kellner Collection on facebook and twitter in the days and weeks to come.
If you have photos or stories you wish to share with the SHS, please contact us by clicking here
Feds Fund Heritage Event:
Squamish Historical Society recieves $12,500 for
2014 Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival
November 8, 2013
On Friday, November 8 at the Squamish Adventure Centre theatre, John Weston, MP on behalf of Canadian Heritage announced funding to the Squamish Historical Society in the amount of $12,500 to go towards the society's 2014 Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival taking place May 2 & 3, 2014 at the Quest Univeristy Canada. The upcoming event will celebrate the many milestones of the community taking place in 2014.
by Rebeccca Aldous, November 14, 2013
Squamish Chief Newspaper
Talking Turtle Trail with Meg Fellows
Thursday, November 14 at 7 pm, Brackendale Art Gallery, 41950 Government Road, Brackendale
Join the Squamish Historical Society on Thursday, November 14, at 7 pm at the Brackendale Art Gallery as Meg Fellowes presents the Talking Turtle Trail.
The Squamish Trails Society is interested in developing the physical trail. Meg’s intention is that this trail loop becomes an opportunity for the community to share stories. She was very impressed by the SHS’s Squamish Culture & Heritage weekend at Quest University Canada last November and recognizes that as s more newcomers arrive in Squamish it becomes more important to find new and innovative ways to share our stories.
Meg’s idea is that at strategic locations along the trail, a very limited number of signs be installed to pique people’s interest in various topics, and directs them to more information whether on web sites or in built venues such as the Railway Heritage Park - Historical museum, Brennan Park, Brew
Pub, etc. This trail would cross market existing built and natural amenities.
The "Laughing Turtle" icon is Meg’s idea. While such a trail/attraction needs a strong icon, it doesn't need to be a turtle ... but she will argue that it should be!
New Squamish Historical Society Website
October 2013
With the 2014 Squamish Culture & Heritage Festival just around the corner, the SHS thought it was time to update our website. There have been vast improvements in the delivery of website content since the old website was built and we hope it shows in form and function. From links to social media, to an online theatre, we couldn't be happier with how the website has turned out. Stay tuned for more updates to the site including further information for how you can get involved as we draw closer to 2014.
Wilkie Building Progressing: Call for Volunteers
October 2013
The Wilkie Building is in it's final stages of restoration and nearly ready to house the Squamish Historical Society's first museum. It's come a long way since it's days as a railway tool shed behind the CN Station (Pacific Central) in Vancouver.The WCRA named it Wilkie after Dave Wilkie a very well known BC railway photographer. The Wilkie Building found it's way to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park and served as the Park's first gift shop. In 2009, the WCRA donated the building to the Squamish Historical Society and we have been working at it every since. From a grant from the Squamish Community Foundation, and the assistance of Squamish Mills in moving the building to its current location, the past year has seen the most noticeable improvements to the
building. These include a deck with rails and a walkway, new windows and most importantly to keep the Squamish elements outside, a new roof!
Project Manager and SHS Treasurer, Mike Jenson, is working hard to put the finishes touches to the interior. If you have the time to help or can donate material, please contact us.
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