Douglas Day 2024

It was a wonderful gathering for our annual Douglas Day Dinner to honour one of BC's most important historical figures, Sir James Douglas. Among other things, he headed the HBC in BC, wore a separate hat as a colonial governor and guided BC through the chaotic gold rush era. He also declared the colony of British Columbia at Fort Langley in 1858. Douglas was of mixed race and married a Métis woman, Amelia Connolly, and six of their thirteen children survived to adulthood. We learned much about Métis trading and cultural history from Tom Long of the new Amelia Douglas Institute for Métis Culture and Language. Métis are distinct Indigenous peoples in Canada, and the sash Tom wears represents the mix of cultural backgrounds -- woven by multi-coloured threads to form one whole. Learn more about the work of this organization HERE. Thanks to Glenn Disney for sharing these photos [...]

2024-11-25T23:42:40+00:00November 25th, 2024|

Douglas Day Dinner

Friday November 22nd the Langley Heritage Society will host its annual Douglas Day dinner to honour the legacy of one of British Columbia’s most important historical figures, Sir James Douglas. This year's guest speaker is Thomas Long, manager of the new Amelia Douglas Institute. Some themes he'll discuss include: Who are the Métis? When and why did they come across the mountains to the Pacific Northwest? Hear the histories of James Sinclair and Amelia Douglas, 19th Century Métis in early B.C. and find out about the new Amelia Douglas Institute for Métis Culture and Language, located in Surrey. LHS members please note this event is being held at a new location, the Fort Langley Lions Hall on 88th Avenue. Doors open after 5 pm.

2024-11-16T23:50:55+00:00November 16th, 2024|

McMillan Expedition Bicentennial

This fall marks the bicentennial of the James McMillan expedition that ventured north from Fort George (Astoria, Oregon) to survey a site for a new Pacific Coast headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company. This gruelling fall expedition included 40 men who were aboard flat-bottomed Columbia River Boats that were sometimes dragged along the shoreline or across portages (most crew members were Voyageurs). This expedition led to the establishment of Fort Langley at Derby Reach in 1827 and trading began with the local Indigenous peoples -- British Columbia was declared some three decades later in 1858. The Living Arts Society is commemorating this event with talks at the Timms Centre in Langley City and reenactments at Portage Park on December 14th. More HERE. Created with GIMP

2024-11-21T17:21:33+00:00November 14th, 2024|

A Lost Son

Ian Matheson was the son of Milner dairy farmers, George and Caroline Matheson. He attended Langley High School, and loved football, badminton, baseball and softball. In May 1941 he signed up with the R.C.A.F. at age 19. The official evaluation described Ian as “confident, mature for his age and pleasant”; his intelligence was “quick” and “organized”. Prior to enlistment he was studying aviation and aircraft construction by correspondence course. “A fine husky lad, brought up in the country on a farm. He is definitely superior type. Keen on aviation and wants to fly. Courteous, mentally alert, observant and very good pilot material. Strongly recommend as above average.” By December 1941 Ian had earned his wings. He was commissioned as a pilot officer, and during his first day of training to be a flight instructor, his Harvard aircraft crashed near Aylmer, Ontario. Flying officer D. Palmer of Saskatoon also perished in [...]

2024-11-05T21:00:42+00:00November 5th, 2024|

New Top for St George’s

It's the season for roof repair/replacement -- before the next atmospheric river arrives. St George's Church in Fort Langley was constructed in 1901. More on its historic significance HERE   The new roof shingles made from recycled rubber tires are now on.

2024-11-13T17:23:07+00:00October 23rd, 2024|

C.A.R.E.S.

One of the properties managed by the Langley Heritage Society is home to C.A.R.E.S. cat shelter. The non-profit rescue organization does wonderful work in the Langleys fro stray and abandoned cats. Here's president Carol Briner with one of the newer arrivals. Learn more about C.A.R.E.S. HERE

2024-10-22T22:07:30+00:00October 22nd, 2024|

New Roof for Karr-Mercer Barn

The Karr-Mercer barn in Derby Reach Regional Park is getting a new cedar shake roof.   From HistoricPlaces.ca  The Karr/Mercer Barn is important for its historic significance. It is also an important example of a community-led restoration that combined the resources of the Langley Heritage Society and the Greater Vancouver Regional District. Originally built in 1876, the barn was one of the earliest hay-drying barns constructed in the Chilliwack area. Although it was relocated to Derby in Langley, it remains one of the oldest extant barns in the Fraser Valley and is an important physical reminder of pioneer farming and building techniques. It is an excellent example of craftsmanship, having been built for David Karr by Quebecers Cyprien Belleque and Xavier Laderiau. It is also an excellent example of barn construction techniques, having been built using mortise and tenon joints with wood dowels, and long pieces of timber. Its relocation [...]

2024-10-22T22:15:17+00:00September 19th, 2024|

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