Friends of the Vancouver City Archives

04/22/2026

It's your last chance to purchase tickets for our in person fundraising event next Tuesday April 28th - “How the City of Vancouver Archives Changed My Life!” ... an evening with Michael Kluckner. Doors open at 6:30 (snacks & wine). Talk at 7PM. Ticket available at: https://fovca.com/events-2/

03/24/2026

March 24 is National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day… yes, it's a thing! 😂🍫

But instead of raisins, let's talk chocolate... and take a little trip back in time to this photo (from the City of Vancouver Archives) showing a sweet glimpse into the city's past... a chocolate shop in Vancouver from the 1920s at 160 West Hastings Street. [reference code: AM1535-: CVA 99-3476]

If you recognize this spot or have any stories to share, drop them below 👇

03/23/2026

Puppy love, 1944 edition 🐾💛

This heartwarming photo captures a soldier taking a quiet moment with an adorable puppy, a small but powerful reminder that even in challenging times, a little companionship goes a long way. [reference code: AM1545-S3-: CVA 586-2772]

With March 23 marking National Puppy Day, it feels like the perfect time to celebrate the joy, comfort, and unconditional love that puppies have always brought into our lives, then and now.

Looking for more snapshots like this? The Vancouver City Archives is home to thousands of incredible historic photos you can browse online anytime. 📸

03/23/2026

Goofing off… 1885 style? 🤔

This photo shows employees standing in front of the Hastings Sawmill in Vancouver, captured at a time when long days and hard labour were simply part of daily life. Safe to say, “National Goof Off Day” (March 22) probably wasn’t on their calendar! [reference code: AM54-S4-: Mi P13]

Still, it’s a fun reminder to appreciate a little downtime when we can. something these workers likely didn’t get much of.

Feeling inspired to take it easy today? Or at least pause for a moment of history? The Vancouver City Archives has thousands of fascinating photos like this one available to browse online. 📸

03/21/2026

A little scent-sational slice of Vancouver history 🌸

Back in 1944, shoppers at the iconic Spencer’s department store, founded by David Spencer Ltd. (est. 1862 in Victoria, later expanding to Vancouver in 1907) could pick up something extra in the perfume department: war savings stamps. 💌
[reference code: AM1545-S3-: CVA 586-1972]

Fast forward to today, March 21, aka National Fragrance Day, a celebration of all things perfume, from timeless classics to modern blends. Who knew fragrance counters once played a role in supporting wartime efforts too?

From scent to stamps, history lingers in the most unexpected places.

Curious to explore more moments like this? The Vancouver City Archives has thousands of incredible digital photographs waiting to be discovered online. 📸

03/20/2026

🚀👽 Happy Alien Abduction Day (aka Extraterrestrial Abductions Day)!

Today, we dive into one of the strangest and most fascinating mysteries out there... the idea that humans might have been taken by visitors from beyond our world. Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or just love a good sci-fi story, March 20 is all about exploring the unknown and imagining what could be out there.

Fittingly, here’s a shot I took of one of Vancouver’s most “otherworldly” buildings, the former Centennial Museum, now home to the Vancouver Museum and Space Centre. With its sleek, retro-futuristic design, it looks like it could lift off at any moment 🚀✨ [reference: AM336-S3-2-: CVA 677-126]

Even cooler? This image is part of the City of Vancouver’s massive digital photo collection, preserving moments and perspectives from across the city for everyone to explore.

So… if aliens were scouting landing sites, do you think this would make the list? 👀👾

03/19/2026

Back in the 1940's, sharing a moment like this meant sitting down at a typewriter… 🖨️

This photo is just one of thousands preserved in the City of Vancouver Archives digital collection capturing moments, people, and stories that make our city what it is today.

As the charity that supports and raises funds for special projects of the archives, we’re excited to share more gems like this, behind-the-scenes highlights, and stories from Vancouver’s past on our new Instagram page.

👉 Come follow along and explore Vancouver’s history with us at our new instagram account: (the official handle for the Friends of the Vancouver City Archives FOVCA).

[Item : CVA 1184-2603 - [Man at typewriter]]

03/07/2026

Our 2026 AGM is coming up on Wednesday, March 25th! After the AGM, we'll have a talk by Aaron Chapman and Benjamin Jackson who will talk about their book: A Sign of the Times: The Best of the Penthouse Marquee.

This is the one event per year where the only way to attend is to be a member - you can still get your memberships online, here: https://friends-of-the-vancouver-city-archives.square.site/

01/15/2026

Archives staff (and a big team of contractors) have been working long and hard to get their satellite site into great shape! Check it out in the Archives' latest blog post!

Wondering what major upgrades of our satellite site took place to provide a stable storage environment for the records and capacity for another 10 to 15 years of growth? Our latest blog posts (complete with lots of before and after shots) walks you through the transformation.

https://bit.ly/49ubULa

10/07/2025

Looking forward to seeing everyone online for this event next month! Get your tickets now on Eventbrite!

Tickets available now!

Join Dr. Jennifer Chutter for a virtual talk about how a group of homeowners (SPOTA) developed the Strathcona Area Housing Society to construct and sell new affordable housing.

tickets: https://bit.ly/4gYOpxv

In Vancouver’s civic history, the Strathcona Property Owner’s and Tennant’s Association (SPOTA) is known for stopping the freeway from demolishing their neighbourhood. This event is only a small fraction of what they accomplished in preserving their neighbourhood. As part of their neighbourhood rehabilitation aims, SPOTA incorporated a not-for-profit housing development corporation called the Strathcona Area Housing Society (SAHS) to construct and sell new affordable housing for low-income families. They were not architects, developers, or urban planners by training, but instead were guided by the unwavering belief that low-income residents had a right to remain in place and should not be pushed out to the margins of the city to find affordable shelter that met the needs of multi-generational living arrangements. Between 1973-1984, the SAHS developed five phases of different housing options on empty lots within the neighbourhood boundaries. This presentation discusses the rich archival material found at the City of Vancouver Archives and the trials and tribulations of the construction of the SAHS housing projects.
https://bit.ly/4nkcwZD

Date: Nov. 4, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm (19:00)
Where: Online

Friends of the Vancouver City Archives

04/17/2025

I made a little "Vancouver Then and Now" when I was looking through the City of Vancouver Archives and realized I have a current photo of a few historic images. Here's the first one in the series:
Stanley Park near Brockton Point
Top: 1928 by James Crookall (public domain)
Bottom: 2025 by me