Discover Heritage

Places that Matter

Celebrating the people, places and events that tell the stories of Vancouver.

Visit the Places That Matter project's new home

In 2021, Places That Matter celebrated its 10th anniversary year!

Vancouver Heritage Foundation was honoured to receive a 2019 City of Vancouver Heritage Award of Honour for Education and Awareness and a 2019 Heritage BC Award of Honour for Education and Awareness in relation to this project.

This project is made possible by the support of countless volunteers and project partners. Visit the Thank You page to learn more!

Thank You

Places That Matter’s Site Selection Committee

John Atkin, Rebecca Bolwitt, Arabella Campbell, Marguerite Ford, Charles Gauthier, Michael Kluckner, Kamala Todd, Hal Wake, Catherine Wang and Bruce Watson

The Places That Matter Community History Resource website is an information-rich website that expands on the original Places That Matter (PTM) plaque program – a project created in 2011 to celebrate Vancouver’s 125th anniversary as an incorporated city. PTM has helped recognize 125 community-nominated sites, covering some of the people, places and events that tell the story of Vancouver’s history. Each of the 125 sites is profiled with their own webpage exhibiting the plaque text, historic research, oral histories, contemporary and historic photos, as well as opportunities for community contribution.

The aim is to further engage residents of Vancouver by providing an accessible digital space for sharing information, while telling inclusive stories about these significant places. We hope this website will appeal to Vancouver residents, newcomers, visitors, students, and researchers, who are interested in local cultural history. Users will access it as a resource guide and as a tool to increase awareness about our city’s past and present.

Visit the Places That Matter project's new home

Want to know more about Places that Matter?

If you’re wondering how the original PTM sites got selected, watch this video from a February 26, 2011 where a steady stream of the curious stopped by large maps covered with dots and stickies marking the sites already nominated at a public event at the Vancouver Public Library.

Curious about the plaque selection and production process? Here are some of our most Frequently Asked Questions

 

What’s the Places That Matter Community Celebration?

Since 2018, we have been celebrating Places That Matter and its many community champions and site representatives in an annual event during Heritage Week (the third week in February). Storytellers and organizations are invited to speak, share table displays, enjoy entertainment and light refreshments and to connect. The community celebration has been at Kits House and Heritage Hall and held virtually in 2020 and 2021. All are welcome to join!