What’s UP at the Archives – May 4, 2023
On Saturday May 6, 2023 in Fraser River Heritage Park from 1:00 – 3:00PM, there is a community celebration for Jenny Stevens (1936-2022), a long time Mission resident and community builder who served six terms on Council, from 1999 to 2018.
As part of these celebrations to remember Jenny Stevens (1936 ~ 2022), today the Mission Community Archives is publishing an interview with her done in 2003 through the Paths & Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program.
Housed in the Mission Community Archives, the in-depth interview includes information about her family background, childhood, education, dealing with and adapting to the loss of her vision, working as a physiotherapist, her family of 6 children, and her extensive community involvement, including: first being elected to municipal council. You may access Jenny’s extraordinary life story told in her own words BELOW.
What’s UP at the Archives – March 9, 2023
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 Community Archives has recognized and built its holdings on more than 100 women who have helped shape the community.
We need your help in identifying who will be honoured in 2023. 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, 2023. 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 2023 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.
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What’s UP at the Archives – March 2, 2023
SPECIAL EXHIBIT OPENING: SAVING BLOCK 77
“We were very lucky,” said newly appointed Fire Chief Ken Lissimore ,“If the fire had spread into the adjoining theatre or apartment block, we could have been in serious trouble.”
On Monday, April 10th 1978 fire ripped through a two storey building in Block 77 near the western end of Mission’s main commercial section on First Avenue, sending thick, acrid smoke into the air. With literally only inches separating the buildings, it was the combined efforts of 35-30 firefighters from Mission, North Fraser and Abbotsford-Matsqui Fire Departments which contained the fire and prevented it from spreading throughout Block 77.
As part of SHINE BRIGHT MISSION festivities on Friday, March 3rd, the Mission Community Archives is opening a special exhibit about the 1978 fire: SAVING BLOCK 77. The exhibit features a series of photographs taken by local news reporters on the scene of the fire, providing a vivid account of the intense blaze and the teamwork by firefighters to suppress it.
A very special thank you to Mission Fire Chief Mark Goddard, Monique Weir (Emergency Program Manager), and Kim Thoms (Administrative Assistant) for their invaluable assistance with the exhibit. Join us for this historic tribute to our incredible first responders! You may view the exhibit at the Archives between 7PM and 9PM on March 3rd.
