VHF advances the appreciation and conservation of our city’s diverse heritage places and their stories. We raise awareness of the vital contribution that heritage makes to a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community.
We host informative events and workshops, create resources about Vancouver’s history and heritage places, and provide financial and practical support for the successful conservation of historic buildings and sites.
Take a walk through some of Vancouver's historic neighbourhoods this summer. Available here to download and print or to use on a desktop or mobile device, each map guide provides a walkable route to follow and learn about local history and heritage places.
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Vancouver has a fascinating history of theatres that are no longer around. The Empress, Princess, Imperial, Columbia and Maple Leaf are just some of the theatre names that once graced Vancouver’s streets. Found along Main, Hastings and Granville streets, these venues once hosted entertainment like Vaudeville, movies and stage shows. Join historians Tom Carter and John Atkin as they take us on a tour of the city’s early theatre history, exploring the venues and a few of the personalities that put Vancouver on the entertainment map.
Join VHF and John Atkin, civic historian, for a full day of exploring the stories of Places That Matter in the heart of downtown Vancouver. From šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square to the Roundhouse Community Centre, we’ll explore cultural landscapes, place names, everyday heritage while expanding the narrative on the city’s early people, places and events. Along with a full day of walking tours with a variety of stops, you will be workshopping a “Places that Matter mapping activity” and learn more about the Places That Matter Study Guide. We hope you’ll join us and share your experiences with place-based, local explorations and school community and neighborhood connections.
In many municipalities in BC, a Heritage Conservation Plan is a mandatory document for development permits involving a listed heritage property or for the purposes of a Heritage Revitalization Agreement, but it also represents a really helpful and thorough decision making process for owners of old buildings. In this informative in-person workshop, heritage professional Elana Zysblat will illustrate how to create a Heritage Conservation Plan using real case studies. Each project will be illustrated and analyzed from the research stage, through the owner’s plans and needs, the construction phase and the crucial role of the Heritage Conservation Plan in guiding and solving the complexity of a heritage project.
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An interactive map of places listed on Vancouver's Heritage Register.
Places That Matter sites recognize some of the people, places and events that tell the story of Vancouver’s history.
Defines, details and illustrates local house styles, their architectural elements and social context.
As a charitable organization, we are grateful for all donations. Your support means we can promote appreciation of Vancouver's unique history and heritage places, as well as support conservation projects with education, information and grants. Donors are known as Friends of VHF and are acknowledged on our website.
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Explore all resources & guides
A heritage study guide, grants for field trips and professional development support
Guidance and support for heritage property owners and stewards.
Learn about the relationship between community, sustainability and heritage
Explore all grants
Support for heritage places.
Grants to assist with researching and sharing Vancouver's heritage.
To support local field trip costs for Vancouver history and heritage experiences.