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Page 6 West Vancouver Historical Society September 2001 FEATURE PRESENTATION REPORT By: Anne Vemon Preserving Our Heritage: West Vancouver Has Its Share of Historic Sites Mr G. E.(Gerry) Borden, the Partnerships and Volunteer Liaison Officer for the Historic Sites and Monuments Board, a department of Parks Canada, was our speaker at the AGM meeting last June. When Ian Macdonald introduced "Gerry" Borden to die meeting in June, he told us that he had first met Mr. Borden at a recent dedication ceremony at the Binning Residence, on Matliers Crescent Tliis ceremony was held to present Mrs. Jessie Binning with a plaque to commemorate the national architectural significance of the home which her husband, Bertram, had designed in the 1940's and which she still inhabits today. Ian described how he had listened witli awe to die avid Barbershop singer leading everyone in a spirited rendition of the National Anthem - in both English and French! He suggested that Gerry might be persuaded to sing some of his barbershop choruses after his talk to us. Well diat was not to be, but we did hear a great deal of interesting material about how the "powers that be" decide just what historic places and buildings meet dieir criteria for inclusion in this prestigious category. Before the First World War took place a growing number of people were becoming concerned widi the preservation of special sites of historical significance diroughout the country. It was, however, not until 1919 that the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada came into being. Its first meeting was held in Ottawa, when members elected Brigadier General E.A. Cruikshank as its first Chairman. ...’’When the government owned a property, it often recommended some degree of restoration...." The first task, of course, was to decide how to determine which were tlie most important historic sites in tlie country; the second, how to actually commemorate the chosen sites. Sites were not tlie only things to be honoured; people and events were also included by the Board and the usual way of showing appreciation, but not always, was to place a bronze plaque at tlie requisite location. When tlie government owned a property, it often recommended some degree of restoration and two of tlie earliest chosen sites which required attention were Fort Beausejour and the Fortress of Louisbourg. Most of tlie early recommendations emphasised military history, exploration and even politics - tilings which were in die forefront of most Canadians' minds at that period of time. In die mid 1950's the Board concentrated more on preservation of sites and more attention was paid to buldings of architectural wordi and even to streetscapes, gardens and bodi urban and rural landscapes. Tlie Board is made up of two representadves from Ontario and Quebec and one from the other provinces and territories. Each member holds the position for no longer than five years and must reside in die area which she/he represents. 'Hie Board Chair is elected by Board members. ".... Subjects must have had a nationally significant impact on Canadian history...." Also included in decision making, and providing the Board widi back-up secreterial/administradve services, is die Director General of National Historic Sites, Piirks Canada. Parks Canada's archaeologists and historijuis carry out die groundwork required in preparing background material before each request is submitted to the Board for its consideration. A very great deal of work goes into each presentadon before it ever reaches Board members. " Gerry" told us diat something like 200 requests are received from all over Canada for Board consideration each year. Only about 50 or 60 are actually worked on by die archaeologists and historians, and of diat amount, only a few reach the top! AnoUier aspect wliich sometimes upsets people who have a "pet project" Uiey wisli to be considered for nadcMial liisloric status, is diat only one similar building or piece of equipment in each area is elegible for consideradon. Fot example, only one much-loved ferryboat in tlie Okanagan could be named. Railway suidons cjune under tlie protecdai of the Board in tlie late 1980's, when a Heritage Railway Stations Conunittee was formed after tlie Heritage Railway Stations ProteaionAct was CTeated. 01 course, we luive a beautiful example of wliat can be done to protect sladons in tlie CPR stadon hi Vancouver. It is mily a tiling of beauty and a joy to visit Tunes clwuige and the Board, as it must changes also. Recendy llie histories of die Aborighiiil peoples of Ouiacki liiive come to die loreffoni of die Board's atleiiuon. and it liiis taken pan hi imuiy worksliops juid ainsultadons widi represeiimiives of die various Aborighial tribes, to ensure diiit dieir sites of spiritual and cultural imporuince will be elegible for recognidon. Bridsli Columbia has its fair sliare of historical sites of value behig recognised by die Board, lliere is an on-going search for more people, places and buildings to be put forward for consideradon on die nadonal level. "Gerry" loves liis job ttnd travels all over B.C. interviewing and advising people and bodies, such as your Historical Society, on how to proceed widi requests for recognidMi. Who knows, with die change hi government we may even be given pennission to put forward die Lions Gate Bridge fw Board consideradon!