Groundbreaking Eleanor Collins, The City’s ‘First Lady Of Jazz’
Eleanor Collins, celebrated as "Vancouver's first lady of jazz" and recipient of the Order of Canada, passed away on March 3, 2024, at the age of 104. In tribute to her legacy and to extend our condolences to her family, we are republishing Christine Hagemoen's 2017 article that explores Collins' profound impact on Vancouver's music scene.
Two Fun and Informative MOV Workshops to Put on Your Calendar This Month
From a unique opportunity to commune with nature, to tuning into your self and getting crafty, Museum of Vancouver's August programming is front-loaded with rad workshops we think you should know about.
You Should Know About Vancouver’s History of Independent Grocery Stores Vol. 1
Whatever you call them — corner stores, mom-and-pop shops, confectionaries, grocery stores, or simply “the store” — these places served as local gathering spaces and encouraged a sense of community. That makes them worth celebrating. Let’s get started…
You Should Know About the Harlem Nocturnes Basketball Team
Sixty years ago this month, one of the region’s most exciting teams was well on their way to overall league victory, and you’ve probably never heard of them.
You Should Know About Vancouver’s Sketchy Past with Poor Quality Beer
Christine Hagemoen tries to get to the bottom of a questionable practice popular in local beer parlours for the majority of the 20th century.
Do Something Good for Yourself & the Planet by Up-Cycling Your Old Denim
Before you dump your old jeans into your neighbourhood donation bin, you should know that there are other, more creatively satisfying options available...Case in point: THIS Gallery and Nimvar's sewing workshop on Thursday, April 6th.
You Should Know About Mount Pleasant / Fairview’s Japanese Canadian Community
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Japanese Canadian internment — one of the darkest chapters in Canadian and BC history. To commemorate the occasion, Christine Hagemoen shares some local Japanese Canadian stories and historic community landmarks...
You Should Know About the History of Vancouver’s Once Thriving Comic Book Industry
Local historian, Christine Hagemoen, discovers that Vancouver was once an integral part of the Golden Age of Canadian comics.
You Should Know About Vancouver’s Long, Explosive Relationship With Halloween
Christine Hagemoen dials back the local clock to understand how and why our city associates Halloween with fireworks.
You Should Know About the Upcoming Mount Pleasant Heritage Walking Tour
History enthusiasts should take note that on Sunday, August 18th, the Heritage Vancouver Society will put on some walking shoes...
You Should Know That Gastown Was Home to Canada’s First Movie Theatre
In this edition of 'You Should Know', we remember the groundbreaking Edison Electric Theatre on W. Cordova Street.
How Bikes Liberated Vancouver
In her latest "You Should Know" story, Christine Hagemoen reminds us of how the bicycle first took our city by storm.
You Should Know About Pigeon Park
How commercial interests, social engineering politicians, pigeons and people shaped the Downtown Eastside's "living room".
You Should Know About ‘Newsie Jack’
At just 5'1", newspaper seller Jack Kanchikoff may have been small in stature, but he left a big impression on Vancouver.
Vancouver Once Had a City Architect, and He Was As Prolific As He Was Controversial
The 'You Should Know' series continues with a look at A.J. Bird, the architect behind some of Vancouver's most iconic buildings.
Once a Local Prison, Now a Preschool and Pub
The remnants of the old BC Pen in New Westminster have come a long way in their storied history and you should know about it.
How 1,000 Vancouver Women Fought World War II from the North Shore
Our 'You Should Know' series continues with a look at the historical importance of a swathe of North Van waterfront.
You Should Know the Story of the Building at the Heart of Mount Pleasant
The 1947 scalene icon sits like a sphinx at the intersection of Main and Kingsway, hiding a sexy secret beneath its rough stucco.
You Should Know Vancouver Was the Last City on the Continent to Drive on the Left
The people of Vancouver woke up on New Year's Day in 1922 to a streetscape that was the same but forever changed.
You Should Know About The First Time Vancouver’s Electric Lights Came On
A year after the Great Fire destroyed much of Vancouver in 1886, its recovering streets were lit with the newness of electricity.
You Should Know More About the Fascinating History of Lower Mount Pleasant
Lower Mount Pleasant was one of the first areas outside of Vancouver's downtown to be developed for residential use. First came houses, then came war. See what remains to this day...
‘Squamish Days’ – A Loggers Sports Festival, 60 Years Running
How to Find the Old Streetcar Scars of East Van
In this You Should Know photo essay, Christine Hagemoen traces evidence of the route of the old Georgia East streetcar line.
The Many Weird Visions Of Vancouver That Never Came To Be
The Old Building That’s Now Home To Andina Brewing Company
All About The Sidewalk Stamps Still Spelling Out Vancouver’s History
The ‘Easter Be-In’ That Occurred In Vancouver 50 Years Ago
The Piece Of Vancouver History That Just Sold For A Song
Groundbreaking Eleanor Collins, The City’s ‘First Lady Of Jazz’
The ‘Bottle Dash’ Houses That Still Glitter In The Vancouver Sun
Our City Streets Were Once Paved With These Little Wooden Blocks
The Explanation Behind The Odd Granite Obelisks Of Mount Pleasant
By-Law Change Brings New Opportunities For Ancient Corner Stores
A Little Bit More About The History Of Prospect Point In Stanley Park
The Architects Who Helped Build A More Modern Vancouver
The West Side & How Stanley Park Isn’t YVR’s Biggest
Why Pay Parking Fines In Person At City Hall? Because It’s Beautiful
Digging The Ambiance & History At The Patricia Hotel On The DTES
How To Walk Through The Surprising History Of Hastings-Sunrise
The Part Of The City Formerly Known As “The Asthma Flats”
The Old Brick Ghost Of Fabled Ice Creams Past On Commercial Drive
The Post-War Wave Of Modernist Architecture In Vancouver
Vancouver Restaurants You Should Know About, Even If They Haven’t Opened Yet
Walking Through The Hidden History Of East Van’s Market Gardens
All About “The Wonky Grid” Of The Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood
The Architectural Treasure That Still Stands Tall Over Gastown
The 100 Year History Of Stanley Park’s Beautiful, Meandering Seawall
How An Original Piece Of Vancouver Landed Deep On The West Side
All About The Elegant Rotunda That Still Dominates The Art Gallery
Everything About The House-Style That Makes Vancouver “Special”
The Deeley Family’s Role In Our Love Affair With The Motorcycle
George Norris, The Artist Behind The Iconic Crab Sculpture
The Iconic Twin Peaks Of The North Shore, “The Lions”
On The “Paint In” Of 1966 & The End Of The Centennial Fountain
The Kind Of City Vancouver Nearly Became In The 1960s
The History Behind Playland’s Ancient, Iconic Wooden ‘Coaster’
The City’s Long Love Affair With The Game Of Baseball
What It’s Like Inside The Dome Of Vancouver’s Iconic Sun Tower
The Imposing Neoclassical Giant At The Gates Of Gastown
The History Of Lost Lagoon, Stanley Park’s Watery Jewel
All About The Lovely Art Deco Bathrooms On English Bay Beach
The Stanley Park Zoo, A Vancouver Institution Until 1996
The History Of The City’s Modernist Oasis Of Tropical Cool
The Ping Pong Punk Rock History Of 828 East Hastings St.
The Old And Storied Pub 340 On Cambie In Gastown
The 100 Year Old “Heritage Hall” At Main & 15th Avenue
Vancouver’s Once Iconic “Aristocratic” Chain Of Diners
YOU SHOULD KNOW: More About The Mid-Century Marvel That Is The Electra Building
Vancouver’s Early Affection For The Art Of Photography
The Once Heavily Armed Section Of Point Grey Beach
YOU SHOULD KNOW: A Few Cool Things About The Old Salt Building On False Creek
YOU SHOULD KNOW: The History Of The City’s Grandview-Woodland Neighbourhood
YOU SHOULD KNOW: More About Local First Nations Leader & Icon, Joe Capilano
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The 2400 Court & Vancouver’s Idyllic Post-War Car Culture
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The Local Nurse And Archivist Who Saved Vancouver
YOU SHOULD KNOW: The Awesome History Of The Long Forgotten North Shore Ferries
YOU SHOULD KNOW: How Its Tiki Tacky History Makes “The Waldorf” Worth Saving
YOU SHOULD KNOW: The Fishy History Of 611 Alexander On The Downtown Eastside
YOU SHOULD KNOW: How The Penthouse Nightclub Became An X-Rated Local Icon
YOU SHOULD KNOW: How Vancouver’s Women Seized Their “Freedom Of Choice”
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The Groovy History Of Kitsilano’s Iconic “Naam” Eatery
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The City’s Old Love Affair With Eugenics & Better Babies
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The History Of Sunrise Market On The Downtown Eastside
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The “Places That Matter” In Vancouver’s Past & Present
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The History Of Vancouver’s Iconic Hastings Racecourse
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The History Of The Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The History Of “The Gabriola Mansion” In The West End
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The History Of Vancouver’s Very Own Don Draper Ad Man
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The History Of Vancouver’s Long Love Affair With Bowling
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About Vancouver Comics As Historical Resources (Seriously)
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The Exhibit On Janusz Korczak & The Warsaw Ghetto Kids
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The History Of The Oppenheimer Building At 102 Powell St.
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The History (And Controversy) Of North Van’s Air Raid Siren
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The History Of East Vancouver’s “China Creek” Skate Park
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About The History Of St. Paul’s (And Yes, It’s Totally Haunted)
YOU SHOULD KNOW: About Vancouver’s Weird Relationship With Neon & Lit Signage
YOU SHOULD KNOW: Mount Pleasant Has Always Been A Lot More Hip Than You…
