What’s UP at the Archives – May 8th, 2025
National Volunteer Week Event
On May 1st, 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 27th to May 3rd, 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.
What’s UP at the Archives – February 28, 2025
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
Paths & Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program
The Mission Community Archives is once again accepting nominations for the Paths & Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program. Since the inauguration of the program in 1996, the lives of 116 women in the community have been documented, ranging from artists and activists to caregivers and educators to entrepreneurs. Each of their unique stories are housed in the Mission Community Archives. Click here to find more information about the Path & Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program.
We need your help in identifying who will be honoured in 2025. Within your organization, family or workplace there are undoubtedly women who are worthy of recognition. We encourage you to use a nomination form to let us know who they are.
Nominations for this year’s Annual Celebration of Women are being accepted until April 30th, 2025. To be eligible the nominee must have lived or presently reside in the City of Mission, Hatzic Prairie, Hatzic Island, Dewdney, Deroche, Nicomen Island, Lake Errock and/or McConnell Creek.
The nominator must submit, on two pages or less, biographical information about the nominee, including her length of residence in the community, field of endeavor and personal attributes along with 2 letters of support for the nominee from family, friends, organizations etc. Click here to complete the 2025 Nomination form. The deadline is Sunday, April 30th. For further information, please call 604 837-7569 or send an email to the Archivist Val Billesberger.
What’s UP at the Archives – February 13th, 2025
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.
After viewing either exhibit, you can test your knowledge by scanning the QR Code to take The Birth of Mission City Fun Trivia Quiz.
To find out more about Mission’s heritage you can book a visit HERE
