February 2021 - Langley Heritage Society

Roaring: Langley in the 1920s

During these times of covid, the Langley Centennial Museum has launched a timely exhibit that explores the Roaring 1920s. The Spanish Flu had abated, the Great War was over and prohibition was gone in 1921 -- people were ready to party. Bring on consumerism, advances in medicine and whiskey runners. The British Columbia Electric Railway had also arrived and spawned new growth, the area's primitive road networks expanded, and communities in the Fraser Valley flourished. Book a personal tour of Roaring: Langley in the 1920s at the museum, or take a guided virtual tour hosted by Langley Arts & Heritage curator Kobi Christian HERE. The exhibit highlights life in Langley through archival images, stories and artifacts from the Museum's rich collection. See some panels from the exhibit via the links below. Remembrance: War & Sacrifice HERE Recreation: Community Halls to picnics HERE Fashion and the Flapper HERE Was It Really Roaring? Visible minorities [...]

Mark Forsythe2021-02-22T21:39:05+00:00February 21st, 2021|

Heritage Community Loses Champion

Langley Heritage Society extends condolences to the family and friends of Beverly Sommer who died on February 4th. Born in Vancouver, she contributed much to the heritage and cultural communities in B.C. and often attended Langley Heritage Society events with her husband, former LHS board member Warren. Bev's obituary reads in part: "After graduating from high school she studied history at the University of Guelph where she was awarded her Bachelor’s degree. She subsequently completed her Master’s degree at Carleton University in Ottawa. Ever in search of new adventures, Bev moved back to British Columbia where she embarked on a distinguished career in the province’s cultural sector, working as an educator at the Burnaby Village Museum (where Bev and Warren met), the Vancouver Museum, and the Vancouver Art Gallery. In 1987 she accepted the directorship of the Surrey Museum where she secured the support and resources required to bring the facility [...]

Mark Forsythe2021-02-18T21:27:08+00:00February 18th, 2021|

Tea Boxes: Steeped in History

Fort Langley CNR Station Manager Helen Williams reports that two tea boxes and steamer trunks were recently donated to the Station. Do you know what they have in common? If you guessed that they were used for shipping goods, then take a bow. The wooden tea box was the precursor to the cardboard moving box. The weight of tea chests was standardized to fill ship cargo holds. Millions of these tea chests made their way to England and elsewhere over the years, where they were put to a multitude of creative re-uses. Something to ponder during your next cuppa. (Photos: Helen Williams)

Mark Forsythe2021-02-14T18:12:54+00:00February 14th, 2021|

Heritage Week in Langley Township

Langley Centennial Museum is hosting four speaker events during Heritage Week, February 16 - 18. Langley Heritage Society's president, Fred Pepin, will take you on a virtual bus tour of historic Murrayville. To register for this online event and others, visit HERE.

Mark Forsythe2021-02-11T00:29:17+00:00February 11th, 2021|

Speeder Tune-Up

It was all hands on the track as the CNR Station's Fairmont gas speeder was lifted onto a flatbed and driven to the BC Farm Museum. Thanks to these volunteers the speeder will be undergoing repairs and getting a spring tune-up. Motorized speeders were used by maintenance crews and track inspectors beginning in the late 1800s. These days, crews usually drive trucks specially outfitted with flanged wheels to ride on the tracks. The Langley Heritage Society also has a people-powered velocipede in its collection, a favourite of children when it's on display in the summer (see photo at bottom).

Mark Forsythe2021-02-06T03:15:48+00:00February 6th, 2021|

Heritage Building Incentive Program Deadline

Own a heritage home or structure that needs some TLC? The Township of Langley is accepting applications for its Heritage Building Incentive Program until February 26th. The program assists with costs of restoring, repairing and maintaining eligible heritage buildings that enrich our community. Check out the program HERE: Photo: Lamb Stirling House, Murrayville. Restored by the Langley Heritage Society. More information HERE.

Mark Forsythe2021-02-06T02:54:03+00:00February 6th, 2021|