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Pages WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY September 1995 FEATURE PRESENTATION REPORT Defining a Local Heritage Reported By: Anne Vernon ROBIN INGLIS was educated at Cambridge (MA Hons. Hist.), Cornell University and in 1971 at the University of Toronto (MA in Museology). His career in education was followed by positions as a Museum Administrator in Ontario. He moved to BC as Director of Vancouver Museums & Planetarium, to be followed by several years as Director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Mr Inglis is at present Director of the North Vancouver Museum & Archives, an Executive of many learned Societies and. for the past four years, has been Editor of Material History Review, a Journal of the National Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa. His work is also his hobby. Mr Inglis began by describing a West Vancouver gala celebration held in August 1941 which had been attended by quite a number of West Vancouver Historical Society members. West Vancouver was celebrating the 150th annivCTsary of the discovery of our coastline by the Spanish Naval Commander Jose Maria Narvaez - thought to be the first non-native person to sail in the waters of what became English Bay. West Vancouverites were having fun that August and the local paper claimed that a record 12,000 people were on the beach. A sailing ship, manned by “Spanish sailors” in full costume, anchored at the pier. The crew landed and were greeted by members of the local Indian band in full “regalia”. A day of fim and feasting, including a mock bull fight (without a bull!) was followed by the placing of a stone marking the spot where it was claimed Narvaez had landed all these years ago. (The cairn is still in place, just by the present day Yacht Club). Of course inevitable arguments followed! Judge Howie, an eminent historian of those days, was angered by the behaviour of West Vancouverites! He stated that no permission had been sought or granted for the erection of the cairn, that there was no proof Narvaez had landed there - the spot was probably two miles away if, indeed, he had landed at all. However, the much loved Major Matthews, Vancouver City Archivist, approved of our celebration and was delighted by the fun everyone had. Robin Inglis’ point was that we, as Historical Society members and amateur historians, should learn from this event. Obviously much dedicated research has to take place and caution exercised at all times before “facts” are placed on record. Local interests and associations have a great deal of power and enthusiasm but in the past often found it difficult to obtain access to record material in archives. Hopefully, because of our present day efforts and dedication, archival material will be open to anyone interested in tracing past events. Museums are no longer dusty, uninteresting places. Nowadays they are much more vibrant and dedicated to making the past more easily understood by those interested; their exhibits change and there will always be something of interest to see. The overall message was to use the Archives to preserve and record local history - not only of families who had been influential, but of businesses and their influence on population growth, architecture, landscaping of the locality, public transportation and services, diaries and memoirs of local people, politics and their effect then and today, local laws and bye-laws. All of these things had an influence on local growth. We also need to collect personal stories from our older members before they are lost. History is, after all, made by local lives as well as Provincial, Federal and international happenings. Finally, Mr Inglis urged us all to communicate, conununi-cate, communicate in all ways and to all people - especially the young. We need to cherish and nurture our knowledge. Be cautious of the past - tell it like it was. Don’t tidy it up. Communities should expect a great deal from their local historians and historical societies - good factual knowledge; breadth of interest and a setting of priorities so that all bases are covered; a willingness to share, and tenacious support for the activities of the museum and archives in their midst. Remember this truth - “If as a society we neglect our history we put our future in jeopardy.” The West Coast Railway Association With assistance from material supplied by WCRA On June 14, twenty two of those Society members and friends taking part in the Royal Hudson tour to Squamish opted to visit the West Coast Railway Museum during the two hour stop over. For some this was their introduction to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park which opened July 10 of last year. Owned and operated by the West Coast Railway Association (WCRA), this park as it stands today is the final stage of the first phase of a four phase development plan. The WCRA, a non-profit registered charitable organization incorporated in BC in 1961, is dedicated to the preservation of the Heritage of the railways of BC and the interpretation of this Heritage. They currently have over 350 active members who are interested in Railways, rail travel and all facets of preserving Railway equipment and history. The Railway Heritage Park is a testimonial to the efforts of this active membership. With the completion of Phase One on their 12 acre site, the Park now provides an opportunity to view authentic railway equipment in operation and in various stages of development. Phase 1 trackwork is complete and over 50 cars and locomotives are on site, many open to the public. The first major building on site, the former PGE carshop dating from 1914, was moved from the BC Rail complex in 1991. It is the largest building ever moved in one piece in BC. Continued on Page 7, See the West Coast Railway Assoc.