On January 26th , 1999, a fast-moving fire destroyed Mission’s iconic Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Station, a national historic site. A prefabricated building constructed in 1909, the station was the centre of commerce and served as a cultural hub spanning more than 8 decades.

Lost Heritage is a new video by the Mission Community Archives which explores the station’s pivotal historical role in Mission’s development and the extraordinary efforts by the community to preserve it, before and after the fire.

Showcasing treasures from the Archives trove of historic photographs and documentation of those involved,  Lost Heritage is both a celebration of a bygone era and a reflection of the collective action to save the CPR Station while fighting a losing battle.   

A Memorable, Inspirational Afternoon

The Second Annual UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL was a resounding success! Held in the Mission Library Meeting Room on June 28th, special guest speakers Judith Ray and Lori Wikdahl shared compelling narratives of milestones in their personal lives facilitated by Linda Clark. Their vivid storytelling evoked strong emotions, sparked laughter, and inspired reflection. It was indeed a memorable and engaging afternoon for all!

Thank you to everyone who attended this fundraising event for the Paths & Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program – your participation contributed to its overall success. A special thanks to our sponsors for their generous support: Swing Optical, Mission Superstore, private donors and award-winning photographer Bob Friesen who donated his services, capturing the passion and engaging storytelling of both speakers.

At the conclusion of the event, Archivist Val Billesberger announced that the 2025 honourees for the Paths and Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program were: Nancy Arcand, a distinctive clay artist with an imaginative style, actively enriching Mission’s arts scene through creative practice and community involvement; Candace Koch, a fierce advocate for improving lives and building stronger, more inclusive communities; and Louise Lacerte, a long-time Mission resident and selfless volunteer who has dedicated her life in service to the community.

National Volunteer Week Event

On May 1^st, the Mission Community Archives held a special event to thank volunteers for their invaluable contributions of time, knowledge, and skills to make the community’s documentary heritage accessible. The event was held during National Volunteer Week (April 27^th to May 3^rd, 2025) the theme of which was “together we make waves”.

Kicking off at 6pm, Archivist Val Billesberger spoke about how volunteers have played an integral role in the Archives operations since it was formally established in 1989. Over the last year, she stated that 38 volunteers logged over 3,250 hours at the Archives, calculating its value at more than $80,000. Assisting with various tasks ranging from cataloguing materials to conducting research, 78% of the volunteers have been members of the staff for more than 10 years.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of 21 volunteer portraits taken by Ellen Nguyen Photography for display on the Archives “Our Volunteers” Wall located in the building’s lobby.  The recognition wall was established in 1998 to publicly recognize on an ongoing basis the contributions of volunteers. 

New Archives Exhibit:

The Birth of Mission City

As part of Heritage Week celebrations this year, the Archives and Museum are staging new exhibits that each highlight different aspects of the community’s storied past…

You can discover the captivating story of how Mission came to be through two versions of an exhibit by the Mission Community Archives titled: The Birth of Mission City. 

Centered on a replica of a rare 1891 Plan of Mission City (132 X 96.5 cm) donated to the Archives in 2024, a pop-up display at the Mission Leisure Centre features historic images corresponding with the milestone events surrounding the birth of Mission City in 1891.  

CLICK HERE to view the online version of the exhibit which tells more about the story behind Mission’s origin, spearheaded by Vancouver land developer James Welton Horne.  Organized into two parts: The Plan and The Outcome, this audio story-telling slideshow highlights pivotal events that dramatically impacted the birth of Mission City, including some of the setbacks.

Archives Assistant Charis Young with donations collected by Archives volunteers for the Mission Community Services Christmas Bureau.

Holiday Spirit at Mission Community Archives

The Mission Community Archives was filled with the spirit of the season on November 28tth when staff and volunteers gathered for the 31st Annual Holiday Tree Decorating Event.

While Christmas music played in the background, the tree was adorned with a unique, eclectic collection of ornaments contributed by volunteers over the past three decades ranging from traditional items like angels, Santas, and snowmen to unconventional ones such as a Starbucks cup, and one crafted from outdated computer hardware and software.

This year items from the Archives COVID-19 collection were also placed on the tree – a series of colorful, decorated tags, each containing a holiday wish message from staff and volunteers gathered via email and telephone during the Christmas lockdown in 2020. They undeniable radiate the true meaning of the holiday season – goodwill to all!

In addition, staff and volunteers donated unwrapped gifts and non-perishable food for the Mission Christmas Bureau. Too find out how you can help spread the holiday cheer to those in need, please visit their website.