Explore Vancouver’s rich history through a variety of mediums. VHF has compiled a list of resources that can be used as a starting point for learning more about the historical context of our city’s heritage buildings and sites. Read about the multicultural history of early residents, learn traditional place names for familiar sites, browse the archives for historical photos, or tour the city’s past by foot or mouse click.
RESOURCES FOR RESEARCHING VANCOUVER’S HISTORY
- VPL Local History Resources
- City of Vancouver Archives – historical photos & records
- BC History Internet/Web Site – database of historical resources
HISTORICAL CHRONOLOGIES & NARRATIVES
- A Chronology of Vancouver by the Vancouver Planning Department
- History of Metropolitan Vancouver
- Musqueam Nation: Our Story & Musqueam Place Names Map
- Squamish Nation: Our History
- Story of Vancouver by the Vancouver Historical Society
- Tsleil Waututh Nation: Our Story
HISTORICAL BLOGS
- Building Vancouver
- Changing Vancouver
- Every Place Has a Story by E. Lazarus
- Past Tense Vancouver by L. Russwurm
- Vanalogue by C. Hagemoen
- Vancouver Was Awesome
- When an Old House Whispers by J. Johnstone
MORE RESOURCES can be found at the Vancouver Public Library. You can search for books through the VPL catalogue or use their handySubject Guides which suggest books based on the subject you are interested in. VHF also offers a selection of books and resources about Vancouver’s history. Check out VHF’s Reading Room.
HISTORICAL PHOTOS & VIDEOS
- VPL Photos of BC and the Yukon
- Open Library Digital Collections UBC
- City of Vancouver Photo Archives – COV archives also has a YouTube channel
- BC Archives Collections
- Nostalgic/Sentimental Vancouver (Facebook Group)
- A Pictorial History of Grandview
- Institute for Stained Glass in Canada
MAPS, APPS and Other Self-Guided Resources
- Explore This Vancouver
- Heritage BC Cultural Maps
- Mount Pleasant Walking Tour Guide
- On This Spot App
- Potrait Sonore: Vancouver’s Modern Heritage
- VanMap (1912 Goad’s Fire Insurance Map layer)
- VHF Map Guides
TOURS & MUSEUMS
GUIDED TOURS
- VHF House Tours
- VHF Walking Tours
- History Walks in Vancouver with James Johnstone
- Walking Tours of Vancouver with John Atkin
- Forbidden Vancouver – historic tours through Gastown
- Stanley Park History Group Walking Tours
- Vancouver Police Museum Walking Tours
MUSEUMS
- Chinese Canadian Military Museum/ Chinese Cultural Centre
- Marpole Museum & Historical Society
- Museum of Anthropology at UBC
- Museum of Vancouver
- Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre
- Old Hastings Mill Store Museum
- Roedde House Museum
- Vancouver Maritime Museum
- Vancouver Police Museum
FOR MORE heritage experiences and a list of museums, visit Time Travel BC or Hello BC.
