Heritage Fair
Hosted in BC since 2008, the Heritage Fairs program promotes historical inquiry, critical thinking and research skills. Students select a topic, craft an inquiry question, research their topic then summarize and compile their findings to create a visual display. They then present their projects to classmates, families, and members of the public at a school- or community-based event.
VHF is proud to support the Vancouver Heritage Fair, which is affiliated with the BC Heritage Fairs Society, a non-profit organization that aims to bring BC students together to make Canadian history come alive.
Resources for Supporting School Heritage Fairs
Murals
Suzhou Alley Women’s Mural
A community-driven commemorative mural and storytelling project celebrating the contributions and legacies of the women who helped shape Vancouver’s Chinatown and community. Located in the courtyard of the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Punjabi Market Murals
Vancouver’s Punjabi Market was the first and largest Punjabi market in North America. From humble beginnings, Main Street transformed into a cultural hub and was home of the first Punjabi-language street signs outside of Asia. At its peak, Punjabi Market was home to over 300 shops including 24 jewelry shops between 48th and 51st Avenue.
School Archives
John Oliver Legacy Society
Created in memory of Ken Macleod, a local historian and author of “The Story Of South Vancouver and John Oliver High School,” JOLS oversees the preservation of the rich historical material and memorabilia the school has accumulated over the past 100+ years. Below are a few highlights from the collections:
- History of John Oliver Secondary School
- Through the Decades 1912-1999 Photo Gallery
- John Oliver Stories
- World War I and World War II Stories
King George Secondary School Archives
“As I’ve said to many students and families over the years, this is the people’s archives. This is not my archives, I’m simply the curator. For now, I hold such an honour to take care of it with the others. The past, present and future King George students and their families. It’s a piece of living history that’s always changing.” – KGSSA. Take a closer look at the KGSSA holdings with a few examples of materials below:
Local Examples
Every school and school community holds memories, lived experiences and notable educators, students and alumni. Tecumseh Elementary School has engaged in a number of projects surrounding the legacies of educator, Vivian Jung who taught at the school from 1950-1986.
With the help of Vancouver’s Poet Laureate, Fiona Tinwei Lam and Tecumseh AIRS artist-in-residence, Julie McIntyre, the school has put together a book of student poetry titled, Splash! Odes To Vivian Jung.
Artists in Residence – AIRs
“Revealing our Histories” with permission from the artist. A whole school collaborative heritage legacy project by local printmaker Julie McIntyre and Tecumseh Elementary Students. The project delved into the changing historical landscape and heritage of the school itself, the Victoria-Fraserview neighbourhood situated on the unceded and traditional lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and səlil̓wətaʔɬ peoples.
Vancouver Heritage Foundation hosted a heritage collaborative inquiry group in 2023-24.
We visited each school and went on walking tours to learn neighbourhood histories, what places, people and stories mattered to their communities and how to better engage and inspire place-based understanding- beginning at your school. As a result, thematic projects and curriculum connections have been made with specific local examples and projects.
We would love to showcase examples of local school or class projects here so please reach out to us if you have something to share!
