Blog
May 10

Getting ready for the 2017 BCHF Conference

Over the past 7 months I’ve been lucky to sit on the BCHF Conference Committee to help bring a fantastic lineup of lectures, field trips, and events to our community.

The BC Historical Federation was established in 1922 and acts as an umbrella association for historical societies in British Columbia. As the BCHF conference hosts for 2017, the Chilliwack Museum and Historical Society has been organizing tours and lectures which highlight our local history. Having been able to sit on the organizing committee since the start, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it has been to cut down the options for tours and lectures for just 4 days of programming. Chilliwack has such a wealth of historical sites and information to share!

BCHF conference tours include a trip to the New Siberia Farm, a 92 year old farm!

BCHF conference tours include a trip to the New Siberia Farm, a 92 year old farm!

That being said, we have been able to put together a fantastic lineup that really showcases the diversity of our area and highlights the importance of preserving and caring for our history today. This is a 4 day festival of history that is accessible and open to everyone, not just those working in the field.

What can you expect?

Whether you’re new to Chilliwack or have lived here all your life, there’s something new for you to explore. The lineup includes workshops, lectures, field trips and evening presentations around the conference theme of “Land, Water, People”. For example:

  • Learn how to take care of your family artifacts, photographs and personal papers with accomplished family historians Brenda L. Smith and Diane Rogers. Get behind the scenes tours of the Chilliwack Archives and learn more about the work of the archives at our Archives Bootcamp.
  • Join for lectures by experts in their fields. Topics range from ‘Flood Management’, ‘Modern Treaties and Reconciliation’ to ‘Finding Chilliwack’s Fallen’, addressing our past, current, and future relationship with the land, water, and people of Chilliwack.
  • Hop on a bus and explore sites around Chilliwack, including tours to local hop and dairy farms, Stó:lō nation, historic river boat landings, and more!

Conference registration is open to all. Sign up for the full 4 days, 1 day packages, individual event tickets, or workshops. If you’re a Chilliwack Museum and Historical Society member, don’t forget you receive BCHF Member pricing for the conference!

See you May 25-28!

Stephanie Clinton

About The Author

When I was younger, I wanted to be an archaeologist. I loved doing puzzles and I wanted to find artefacts and piece them into the story of our past. I still love archaeology, but I’ve ended up taking a slightly different path. After graduating from York University with my degree in anthropology, I was pretty sure I wanted to work in museum education. With years of experience working and volunteering with all age groups in various educational capacities, I thought it would be a great combination of my passions. After a year in France teaching English, I attended the University of Toronto and received my Bachelor of Education. Since then, I’ve been lucky to work on some exciting education and outreach projects in Toronto with museums, art galleries and cultural institutions. I’m excited to be at the Chilliwack Museum and Archives and have brought along some big ideas for the future of education and engagement programming here at the museum. I’m looking forward to meeting you, hearing your stories of Chilliwack and sharing my passion for history with any and all ages!