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A remarkable book about an early Vancouver photographer whose work was almost forgotten was named the winner Saturday of the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing, as presented by the British Columbia Historical Federation. The award comes with a cash prize of $2,500.

Chinatown Through a Wide Lens: The Hidden Photographs of Yucho Chow is by Catherine Clement and published by the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia. Yucho Chow was Vancouver’s first Chinese commercial photographer and its most prolific. His lens captured thousands of faces of all skin colours, religious beliefs and backgrounds and chronicled a tumultuous time in Vancouver’s and Canada’s early history.

This coffee table book displays 344 pages of long-hidden, community photographs taken by Yucho Chow Studio. The private images showcase the different, marginalized communities that Yucho Chow chronicled in his lifetime, as well as the remarkable stories that accompany these photographs.

This book was also the people’s choice winner, as selected by the audience in real time during the awards gala.

Second prize, worth $1,500, went to Step into Wilderness (Harbour Publishing), by Deborah Griffiths, with Christine Dickinson; Judy Hagen and Catherine Siba. This book features never-before-seen photos from the Courtenay and District Museum collection, showcasing the growing community’s varied interactions with the wilderness they inhabit, from early hiking and skiing expeditions to encounters with wildlife, afternoon tea in the wilderness, beach races and early outdoor activity clubs.

The collection also explores the ways in which inhabitants have altered the landscape, including K’omoks Bay fish traps and stump blasting to clear fields. These unique and arresting photos are complemented by equally engaging accounts of individuals surviving and thriving in the midst of natural beauty and great devastation, including survivors of the great fire of 1922 and pioneer skiers on Forbidden Plateau during the Great Depression.

Third prize, worth $500 went to Lara Campbell for A Great Revolutionary Wave: Women and the Vote in British Columbia (UBC Press). This book rethinks the complex legacy of suffrage by considering both the successes and limitations of women’s historical fight for political equality. That historical legacy remains relevant today as Canadians continue to grapple with the meaning of justice, inclusion, and equality.

This book is for readers interested in women’s history, British Columbia history, or the history of women’s fight for political equality, including secondary school and university students. It will also find an audience among those concerned with gender equality and social justice.

Honorable mentions went to Pioneer Churches of British Columbia and the Salish Sea, by Liz Bryan (Heritage House); British Columbia in Flames: Stories from a Blazing Summer, by Claudia Cornwall (Harbour Publishing), and Legacy of Trees: Purposeful Wandering in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, by Nina Shoroplova (Heritage House).

The Community History Book Award, worth $500, went to Peter Smith for Silver Rush: British Columbia’s Silvery Slocan 1891 – 1900 (self-published). In the 1890s, mining camps like Sandon, Three Forks, Whitewater and their neighbours; New Denver, Silverton, Slocan City, Kaslo and Nakusp, thrived. Once the most productive mining region in British Columbia, prospectors and miners came from Idaho, Montana and other mining centres to reap the silver harvest. Capitalists flooded in from Spokane, Seattle, Vancouver, and investment centres across North America and the world. Plummeting silver prices, labour troubles and the Klondike gold rush eventually put an end to the silver rush but the legacy of that rush endures to this day.

The award recipients were chosen by a three-member panel of judges from nominees published in 2020.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) announces that Paul Koroscil of Naramata is a recipient of an Award of Merit. The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.  

Paul is recognized for his outstanding contributions to the study and promotion of British Columbian history. A dedicated writer, Paul has authored three books, including The British Garden of Eden: Settlement History of the Okanagan Valley and published more than 27 articles over the course of his career.  

His efforts to spur historical interest go beyond the page. An instructor and assistant professor within the Department of Geography at Simon Fraser University, Paul’s passion and enthusiasm for historical geography has been passed on and he “instilled his love of British Columbia geography and history in many of his students.”

In his acceptance speech, Paul wrote: “I feel honored and humbled in receiving the Award if Merit . 

“I would like to thank Kathy Drew and board of directors, Friends of Fintry Provincial Park for nominating me. I would also like to thank the Department of Geography, SFU for accommodating a historical geographer and supporting me in researching my BC topics. Special thanks to Len Evenden, who has always showed an interest in my research. Since most of my research was completed prior to the IT revolution and digitization, I was fortunate to have the encouragement of my wife also my field assistant and critic who I owe a great deal of thanks.”

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that Jennifer Nell Barr of Victoria is a recipient of an Inspiration award for her continued work researching and writing the “This Old House” series.  
 
The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations who have provided hope and optimism to the sector in British Columbia during the ongoing pandemic.   

A member of Victoria Heritage Foundation, Jennifer has devoted endless hours to the publication series for more than 20 years. Coordinating the work of volunteer writers, editors, researchers and more, Jennifer has continued to pursue the next volume during the COVID-19 pandemic, persisting with historic zeal and joy.  

In the words of her nominator, Jennifer “is happy to share her enthusiasm in what she finds along the way […] Some of the stories are hilarious, others very sad, but the social histories she brings to light about the occupants and the houses listed really help make past generations live again.”

The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia is a recipient of an Inspiration award for the organization’s work to create face masks in partnership with Modernize Tailors during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations who have provided hope and optimism to the sector in British Columbia during the ongoing pandemic.   

Early in the pandemic, members of the society did not hesitate to rally to support the local community. Working with local Chinatown business Modernize Tailors, the Society innovatively helped fill a need during the PPE shortage, selling hand-made cloth face masks.  

Continuing to champion the community throughout the initiative, a portion of the proceeds raised from the sale of the masks were donated to two of their community partners: the Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Lytton First Nations.  

The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) announces that Christine Meutzner of Nanaimo is a recipient of an Award of Recognition. The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.  

The longstanding archivist and manager of the Nanaimo Community Archives, Christine has been advocating for Nanaimo heritage and history for almost 25 years. Christine’s career has been marked by professionalism and exceptional community service, allowing countless researchers and community members to gain increased perspective and appreciation for Nanaimo’s historic roots.  

A promoter of heritage and history, Christine has played an active role in the broader Nanaimo heritage scene, serving on the civic heritage advisory committee and a director of the Nanaimo Historical Society.

T.W. Paterson photographs the wreckage of a plane on Mount Benson.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) announces that T.W. Paterson of Cowichan Valley is a recipient of an Award of Recognition. The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.  

T.W.’s efforts in promoting an understanding of history are exemplified through his publications. Tireless in his pursuit of the past, T.W. has authored more than 30 books and countless articles on the history of British Columbia since his teenage years. His longstanding column, Cowichan Chronicles, ran in the Cowichan Valley Citizen for 23 years, serving as a notable avenue for the public to learn about the colourful and multifaceted history of the province.  

His nominator for the award comments: “Truth is, T.W. is exactly where he belongs, fulfilling an important role by explaining why history is so important and showing us how fascinating it also can be.”

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that Tami Quiring of Alder Grove Heritage Society is a recipient of an Inspiration award for her efforts successfully hosting the Society’s Community Heritage Day during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations who have provided hope and optimism to the sector in British Columbia during the ongoing pandemic.   

Designing an in-person event to be in keeping with COVID protocols, the Alder Grove Heritage Society, under Tami’s leadership, hosted a ‘heritage walk-thru’ event in September 2020. The event featured displays mounted on a socially-distanced one way course set up within Royal Canadian Legion Branch #265 Aldergrove.  

Safely mobilizing volunteers and members of the Heritage Society, the Community Heritage Day promoted safe in-person engagement and an increased sense of community during the pandemic while allowing visitors to learn about the history of Aldergrove.  

The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that Aman Johal of Surrey is a recipient of an Inspiration award for his work spurring camaraderie and shared collective learning for staff at Fort Langley National Historic Site.  
 
The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations who have provided hope and optimism to the sector in British Columbia during the ongoing pandemic.   

A long-time site interpretation supervisor at Fort Langley, Aman developed and ran regular history and trivia quizzes virtually for colleagues as staff adapted to working from home during the early stages of the pandemic. Under his leadership, the quizzes sparked lively discussion, laughter and debate amongst participants, promoting a sense of togetherness and connection during a time of social disruption.  

The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5. 

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that Gabriel Newman of Vernon is a recipient of an Inspiration award for his work creatively capturing the reality faced by heritage organizations through the Loneliest Interpreter series at O’Keefe Ranch.  

The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations who have provided hope and optimism to the sector in British Columbia during the ongoing pandemic.   

Without visitors or school programs taking place at the O’Keefe Ranch during the COVID-19 pandemic, interpreter Gabriel Newman launched the “Loneliest Interpreter” video series. The series focused on a variety of historical topics, such as crafting butter, which would be undertaken at O’Keefe Ranch and the realities of working at a heritage site during a pandemic.  

Gabriel’s videos were perfectly timed – raw, authentic and funny, the videos helped spur laughter, joy and a sense of community as people tried to make sense of the new reality spurred by COVID-19. You can watch one of them below.

The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that Al Donnelly is a recipient of an Inspiration award for his work documenting the Boundary region and maintaining the Boundary Historical Society’s cabin at Jewel Lake near Greenwood.   

The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations who have provided hope and optimism to the sector in British Columbia during the ongoing pandemic.  

An active member of the Boundary Historical Society, Al has undertaken deep research pertaining to the history of the Grand Forks and Greenwood areas. During the pandemic, Al worked ceaselessly to locate, collate, research and write stories about the Boundary region. The work has culminated into the production of the Boundary Historical Society’s 18th historical report publication.  

In addition to carrying out tireless research, Al is a stalwart steward of the Society’s 1899 cabin located at Jewel Lake. Tackling duties pertaining to security, cleanliness and ground maintenance, Al’s work help ensure that the public will be able to enjoy the cabin for years to come.  
 
The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.