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The British Columbia Historical Federation has provided a collective voice for its member societies since 1922.
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This issue of the Buzz is archived here. |
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Renewal Reminder to Organizational Members
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February 1 marks the annual renewal date for organizational members of the BCHF. Soon, our membership coordinator will follow up with reminders to those not yet renewed.
This year, please be reminded of the increase in membership fees that was passed at the Society's previous AGM last May, 2025. The fee increase is reflective of the increased cost of printing and mailing the British Columbia History magazine.
Rather than a rate based on number of members, organizations now self-identify which category they feel they belong in (small, medium, large).
The suggested definitions of small, medium and large are not prescriptive, but used to provide an example of how to gauge the size of an organization (the honour system is used).
The fees are as follows
SMALL = $50
MEDIUM = $75
LARGE = $100
More information about how to determine your fee, memberships, and member benefits, visit our Membership Page.
For support with your membership renewal, email: membership@bchistory.ca
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Historical Writing Awards Deadline Extended
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Did you publish a book on a topic of BC history in 2025?
Consider entering it into the annual BCHF Historical Writing Award contest where you could take home the top prize of $2,500.
We are extending the deadline until January 30, 2026, so don't hesitate to submit via our online form.
Questions can be directed to writing@bchistory.ca |
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Front Words with Mark Forsythe
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An excerpt from the Winter 2025-26 issue of British Columbia History.
Light at the Othello Tunnels
Seriously damaged by the atmospheric river floods of 2021, the Othello tunnels and bridges and the trails at Coquihalla Canyon Park have now been repaired. Public access was partially restored to three of the five tunnels in summer 2025; full access will return during the new season in April 2026. The $10 million upgrade (supported by Canada’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program) includes a newly constructed north bridge, resurfaced trail, and stabilization of the slope, rocks, and tunnels. Work on a new south bridge and tunnel stabilization is now complete.
Once part of the CPR’s Kettle Valley Railway link from the coast to mines in the Kootenay, Boundary, and Similkameen regions, the Othello tunnels were blasted in a perfectly straight line through granite cliffs rising 300 feet (91 metres) above. The railway’s engineering feat meant crossing three mountain ranges and it came to be known as “McCulloch’s Wonder,” named after chief engineer Andrew McCulloch. Opened in 1916, the Coquihalla section operated until 1959 and was abandoned in 1961.
The tunnels remain one of Hope’s main attractions—thanks in part to movies like the Rambo film First Blood. Inside the tunnels and along the railbed you can almost hear steam engines roaring through the spectacular canyon, and if you’re lucky, you might see salmon leaping up the boiling Coquihalla River. Click the button below to read more about: - Centennial Legacy Fund at Work - The Whalers' Shrine - Vancouver Historical Society Walking Tours - Old Yale Barn Reborn |
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The Chinese Houseboy and the Society Matron
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An excerpt from the Winter 2025-26 edition of British Columbia History
By Catherine Clement
Only seven years after the 1907 anti-Asian race riots destroyed parts of Vancouver’s Chinatown and Japantown, another violent incident sent shockwaves through the early Chinese community. This time, however, the protagonists were not an angry mob: They were a 31-year-old White society lady named Clara Millard and a 16-year old Chinese houseboy known as Jack Kong (a.k.a. John or Jong Yew Kong).
The grisly details of their clash dominated English and Chinese local newspaper headlines for almost two months, and the story quickly spread across Canada. More importantly, the deadly altercation would harm the livelihoods of hundreds of other Chinese servants working in private homes, hotels, and restaurants, and would help fuel a new wave of vigilante attacks on the Chinese community. |
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Japanese Legacies exhibit showcases Revelstoke’s Japanese Canadian stories
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Revelstoke Museum & Archives is highlighting the history of Japanese Canadians in Revelstoke and increasing collection accessibility with the launch of its latest online exhibit, Japanese Legacies.
Spanning over 100 years of history, the exhibit is the cumulation of project manager Harumi Sakiyama’s hours of work piecing together the various Japanese Canadian stories rooted in Revelstoke.
The online exhibit will also help the museum showcase more of its collection without having to navigate the limited space the brick-and-morter provides.
“We’ll continue to gather material on this topic, so this feels the best way to showcase that material,” Cathy English, lead curator told Revelstoke Mountaineer.
The online exhibit is also part of the museum’s work to make its collections as accessible as possible. Audio tours, accessible language guides, sensory supports and a growing list of online exhibits are all accessibility strategies the museum has been implementing over the years. |
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Stories from the Graveyard of the Pacific at Sooke Region Museum
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120 years ago a tragic, historic, event occurred on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The SS Valencia was a 252-foot, iron hulled passenger steamer ship built in Philadelphia in 1882 and was owned by the Pacific Coast Steamship Company. The ship was inspected on 6 January 1906 and had the capacity to carry 286 passengers, 7 lifeboats, 368 life preservers, all of which was found to be in good working order. The SS Valencia departed San Francisco on 20 January 1906, bound for Victoria, BC and Seattle, Washington. Due to the deteriorating weather with rain, fog, and strong winds, they missed the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and ran aground just south of Cape Beale on 22 January 1906. There were only 37 survivors and 136 lives were lost.
This event marked history because so many lives were lost so close to shore and the government of Canada was compelled to make major improvements to its West Coast Marine service. This included new lighthouses, detailed charting, improved rescue facilities, and better land and sea communications. But this shipwreck was only one of so many that happened in this place that has come to be known as the Graveyard of the Pacific. |
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Speaker Series - Afrofuturism: A Vision by Us, For Us
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Afrofuturism is a powerful force in art, literature, and music- but what is it, at its core? Learn about how it has served as a catalyst for social change by and for people of African descent around the world. When: Thursday, February 5th from 4 pm to 5pm (Online via Microsoft Teams) This event is FREE. |
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IN MEMORIAM: Ron Shearer (1932-2025)
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Prolific Rossland historian Ron Shearer has died at 93.
Shearer was a UBC economics professor emeritus who in his retirement began looking into little-known aspects of the history of the city where he grew up.
He wrote Chicanery, Civilty, and Celebrations: Tales of Early Rossland, described as "a collection of stories about people and events that were fundamental components in the social fabric of the young community."
He also contributed to the book Cemeteries of Rossland and wrote biographies of prominent figures like Ross Thompson and Olaus Jeldness. Some of his articles can be found on the Rossland Museum's website, including studies of the Chinese population in Rossland and the city's winter carnival.
Shearer's full obituary can be found here. |
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Fernie exploring options for Brown’s Meat Market demolition
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A demolition application for the old Brown’s Meat Market building has been submitted to the city, but council will be reviewing their options on how to at least preserve a piece of the historic building.
Brown’s Meat Market was established in 1926 and was a multi-generational family-owned business until 2021, when the property was sold.
The building is in rough shape and is considered unsafe. |
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Consider donating to the BCHF! Your donation helps us administer grants, produce the magazine, and give scholarships to emerging scholars. Click the link below to donate today and receive an instant tax receipt. |
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The BCHF offers a number of advertising opportunities in our e-newsletter, which is distributed to our entire membership monthly. Advertisements are jpeg images sized to 600 px wide for electronic distribution. To submit an ad, contact Laura Van Zant: laura@bchistory.ca Members enjoy discounted advertising rates. Choose 12 months for the best deal:
1-3 months = $100 each ($100-$300 annually)
4 months = $90 each ($360 annually)
6 months = $80 each ($480 annually)
8 months = $70 each ($560 annually)
12 months = $50 each ($600 annually)
Rates for non-members are as follows:
1-3 months = $150 each ($150-$450 annually)
4 months = $140 each ($560 annually)
6 months = $130 each ($780 annually)
8 months = $120 each ($960 annually)
12 months = $100 each ($1,200 annually)
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British Columbia Historical Federation
Box 448, Fort Langley, BC, V1M 247 • info@bchistory.ca The BCHF Secretariat is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Coast Salish speaking Peoples. This newsletter is drafted and sent from the traditional unceded territory of the Sinixt First Nation. The BCHF is on Facebook. Join the conversation.  |
