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.
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!
Arbutus Grocery PTM plaque presentation Photo credit: Alex Salaveria
PTM Plaque unveiling at the Livestock Building in Hastings Park in 2012..
Group in front of the Militant Mothers of Raymur Overpass. Photo credit: Murray Bush
PTM Plaque presentation at Punjabi Market in 2013.
China Creek Skatepark plaque presentation on July 16. Photo Credit: Rob Atkins
Plaque presentation at Joy Kogawa House. Photo Credit: Thekla Lit
Arbutus Corridor at Choices Plaque presentation.
Places that Matter Plaque at Celtic Cannery.
Ace Cycles Plaque presentation Credit: J Quan
PTM plaque at the Walter and Mary Chan House.
Arbutus Grocery PTM plaque presentation Photo credit: Alex Salaveria
PTM Plaque unveiling at the Livestock Building in Hastings Park in 2012..
Group in front of the Militant Mothers of Raymur Overpass. Photo credit: Murray Bush
PTM Plaque presentation at Punjabi Market in 2013.
China Creek Skatepark plaque presentation on July 16. Photo Credit: Rob Atkins
Plaque presentation at Joy Kogawa House. Photo Credit: Thekla Lit
Arbutus Corridor at Choices Plaque presentation.
Places that Matter Plaque at Celtic Cannery.
Ace Cycles Plaque presentation Credit: J Quan
PTM plaque at the Walter and Mary Chan House.
Support PTM
The Places That Matter plaque project and the Community History Resource website are initiatives of Vancouver Heritage Foundation. Your support will help sustain and grow the project and build awareness and appreciation of the sites and local history recognized through the program.
A few ways in which your donations support VHF and the PTM Community History Resource:
- Cover plaque maintenance and installation costs by becoming a plaque sponsor or online site sponsor
- Fund continued research on a particular site or collection of sites
- In-kind donations and sponsorship support free public celebrations, like the annual PTM Community Celebration and PTM plaque presentations
- Support VHF’s Heritage Study Guide for Schools and the creation of documents and materials for teachers and students to use the Community History Resource website in classrooms
