16 • Friday, May 23, 2014 • The Record
Museums full of history OUR PAST
ARCHIE & DALE MILLER
M
ay 18 was International Museum Day, a day of recognition of museums and their role in our communities and our culture. Later this year we will witness the opening of the new home of both the New Westminster Museum and Archives and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. These will be in the new civic structure, the Anvil Centre. In addition to those two institutions, New Westminster has Irving House Historic Centre, The Royal Westminster Regiment Museum (and Archives), the Samson V Maritime Museum and the Fraser River Discovery Centre. The story of our local museums and their collections takes us back to the city’s earliest days, when
residents realized the importance of some items to the history of the community. Exhibitions often included “artifacts” to be viewed along with materials pertaining to the cultural heritage. While the number of major fires in this city has taken its toll, much of the historical material remains. We are asked on occasion to talk about some of the items, perhaps some favourite pieces, perhaps some articles with great stories. This is always a somewhat dangerous task, but for Museum Day we will offer some suggestions for such a list. Reminders of the Royal Engineers and May Day would certainly be included. Such items would be closely tied to the town’s first decades and the families who were part of the new community. The artifacts from the Engineers give us a wonderful opportunity to “touch the past.” An early May Queen cape or crown do the same thing. Items from other communities, such as the Chinese or First
Nations, can reveal these groups, show us more of their everyday lives, and help us to understand the talents, skills and character of them as well. Folks who enjoy First Nations baskets find it hard to imagine being able to trade, right at your door, a frying pan or kitchen cleaver for an ornately woven basket. The Dufferin Coach from 1876 connects to early Canadian politics, a Governor General, the Cariboo stagecoach road, the Provincial Exhibition in Queen’s Park, Winston Churchill, waterfront industry, May Day and a massive fire in 1929. And that’s only the beginning. From an already heavy when empty strong box to the first local TV set, to reminders of the Great Fire of 1898, to regular household items by the score – all have stories. Visit a museum. You’ll be glad you did.
HENRY NG
77th Season - 347th Production
Vagabond Players present
written by
John Cleese &
Connie Booth
directed by
Casey Por
May 29 - June 21, 2014 Bernie Legge Theatre, Queens Park, New Westminster Thursday – Saturday 8pm
Sunday Matinees – 2pm
Reservation Line:
DENTURE CLINIC
604-521-0412
Dental Mechanic since 1979
604-522-1848 442-6th St., New Westminster 5412 A Imperial St., Burnaby
or book online at www.vagabondplayers.ca Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
TM
It’s Worth It.
Queensborough Landing Bright Clean New Facility Only a 5 minute walk from Walmart
Just across the Queensborough Bridge
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Unit A - 409 Boyne Street New Westminster
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604-540-4467
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