Making History through Facebook

And just because it’s the last day of the year, I thought I’d run a special post on my favourite Facebook local history pages of 2013. In no particular order and chosen because they offer real value for time expended–here is my top 10.

1. Vancouver Vanishes

For a number of years Caroline Adderson wrote outraged letters to City Council about the large scale destruction of heritage houses in her neighbourhood. When her letters went unanswered Caroline sent pictures—she still didn’t get a response.

Then last January, the award-winning author took her fight to social media and started posting pictures of beautiful character houses and short descriptions of their social history. The Facebook page immediately struck a chord with others who are passionate about the diminishing heritage stock in our city.

As of writing this today, Caroline’s page has 2,764 likes, has attracted a bunch of media attention, and finally got the attention of City Hall. Her Facebook page has helped get the Heritage Action Plan off the ground, and while politicians are reluctant to touch this subject before the election, at least it’s forced them to have the conversation.

Who knows, with more pressure, it might even become an election issue.

2. Vancouver:  Then

This site sources most of its archival photos from the City of Vancouver Archives and the Special Collections website at the Vancouver Public Library. I love how these photos are becoming public and by having my day interrupted by a great long forgotten shot. Another bonus is that people occasionally post really interesting and not-seen-before photos from their own albums.

3. V A N C O U V E R City of Glass

Another page I love, posts everything from archival pictures, to postcards, and factoids, and even takes time to promote local authors

4. Places that Matter

Places that Matter is run by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation (which also has a terrific page) and launched in 2011 to celebrate Vancouver’s 125^th anniversary by commemorating 125 different sites.  I’ve found out about fascinating people like Nellie Yip Quong and places like the Arbutus Grocery and Save on Meats through this site which also posts really interesting interviews, photos and film clips.

5. Heritage Vancouver Society

I particularly like this site and the organization because they care about our built heritage and try to do things to save it. This page has lots of pictures, heads out to buildings in trouble and reposts interesting history sites and news about Vancouver.

6. City of Vancouver Archives

I can’t imagine that any history book could be written without the resources of the Archives and its awesome staff. This page mostly promotes the Archives blog and I always appreciate a reminder to read a new post.

7. Forbidden Vancouver

Run by Will Woods who heads up a Vancouver walking tour company, this site is full of photos and interesting factoids about Vancouver’s shady history.

8. Noir Vancouver- tales of a neon city

Posts some great photos from that 1930s to 1960s period of Vancouver’s history

9. Historic Vancouver

Mostly pictures and videos of Vancouver with a nostalgic twist

10.  TimeTravel BC

This site covers all of BC, and reminds me that we live in a province full of rich architecture, fascinating people, First Nations culture, farming and agricultural history.

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