Are you curious to know what Chilliwack looked like in the 1980s? Ask our volunteer Ev Parker who is currently processing a large collection of street photographs from the 1980s. This is a unique collection that Ev is digitizing and describing so that you, the researcher, can access the images online. To learn more about Ev and his work at the Archives, read his answers to the questions below:
Photo courtesy of Ev Parker
When did you start volunteering at the Archives?
November 2015.
Why did you decide to volunteer for the Chilliwack Museum and Archives?
Being slightly familiar with Chilliwack, I enjoyed what the Museum and Archives had hidden within its walls and found it was beyond fascinating. Some information I was familiar with previously but with a little searching, it became obvious a massive amount about Chilliwack was available to the public. If people only knew what was available for public viewing, there would be far more people visiting the Archives.
What type of work do you perform when you are at the Archives?
Data entry, scanning pictures and documents, looking up information, adjusting numbering systems when an item has been removed, dusting and vacuuming. When people that are familiar to me visit the Archives I try and make them feel comfortable. I also visit with people I know when they come into my work space.
Photo courtesy of Ev Parker
Do you have a favourite memory at the Museum and Archives?
Too many to itemize but just about every time I’m there Tristan or Anna will enlighten me with something I wasn’t aware of, making it more desirable to come back.
Is there anything else you would like to mention regarding your work at the Archives?
It is really unbelievable how much information is there for ANYONE to have and to hold, read or use, for any purpose.
Ev Parker volunteers every Wednesday morning at the Archives. If the doors are not open by 9:01 AM, he’ll let you know. We like to refer to this time as Ev’s office hours since he regularly receives visitors during this time period. Sometimes, those visitors even stay to do a little research of their own! Interested in knowing more about Chilliwack history? Stop by on a Wednesday morning and we’ll be happy to show you how to search our records or just enjoy a short chat with our amazing volunteer, Ev Parker.
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