Heritage Week is being celebrated in communities across B.C. from Feb. 19 to 25. This year’s theme is Layer by Layer.
“Heritage is the layering of stories that describe the uniqueness of a community’s past and present while informing the future,” said Heritage BC’s website. “This year’s Heritage Week: Layer by Layer, invites you to dig deeper into your community’s past and explore the many layers and stories that your unique community holds. Take some time this week to learn something new about the many “layers” of the place you call home.”
Here are a few ways to celebrate Heritage Week in New Westminster:
New Westminster Museum
Explore the city’s history with a visit to the New Westminster Museum, where you can view exhibits related to the city’s past.
- When: New Westminster Museum is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursdays, it’s open until 8 p.m.
- Where: New Westminster Museum is on the third floor of Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.
- Details: Admission is by donation
Housing Values exhibit
Attend the official opening of the Housing Values exhibit at the New Westminster Museum and see how housing in New Westminster and how cultural values, economics and history influence where and how people live in this city.
“Housing is the hottest topic around these days. Everywhere you turn, people are talking about housing but it’s not a new concern,” says a notice about the exhibit. “How much, where, and what people live in has been debated since New Westminster was founded in 1861.”
This exhibit – spanning two galleries – is filled with historic photos, thought-provoking interactives, and important community stories.
It’s running until April, but the opening reception is on Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Artist PJ Patten, who completed a mural for the exhibit, will attend the opening to walk visitors through his work; Sharon Ennis, who gathered stories for the exhibit, will also attend to speak to visitors about the project.
- When: The opening reception is on Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. If you can’t make it to the official opening, you can stop by another time and view the exhibit that’s running until April. The New Westminster Museum is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursdays, it’s open until 8 p.m.
- Where: New Westminster Museum, third floor of Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.
- Details: The opening reception is free. Registration isn’t required for the opening reception but RSVPs are appreciated (light refreshments will be provided)
A Year of Truth
Learn about the City of New Westminster’s truth and reconciliation efforts. New Westminster has declared March 2023 to March 2024 as A Year of Truth, with the belief that truth must come first, in order to understand truth and reconciliation.
The city’s A Year of Truth website includes information about actions taken by the city involving Indigenous peoples from 1860 to 1999, information about the city’s reconciliation efforts, information about local Nations, and more.
“As a city and community, we need to understand the mistakes of our past in order to make meaningful reconciliation,” states the website. “We need to learn about all that was stolen and all that was lost so that we can continue to live, work, and play on the lands and waters now known as New Westminster.”
Westminster Pier Park
Take a walk in Westminster Pier Park and discover some of the city’s past. When the City of New Westminster was planning for the construction of Westminster Park Park on the city’s waterfront, it wanted to include art, culture and heritage elements in the park.
- Memory Band, spanning the length of the park, is a series of words in a metal band that separates the concrete path and wooden boardwalk. It highlights some of the people, quotes, places, flora and fauna, significant dates, events and things that are unique and significant to the history of New Westminster.
- Historic photo panels can be found in the stepped seating area around the “Lytton Square” gathering area of the park – the building where the concession and washrooms are located. Images depict historical places that were located near the site, people and significant events that occurred in the area near the park site
Walking tour
Stroll through downtown New West and check out some of the city’s heritage buildings. Tourism New Westminster has some suggestions on places to check out.
Heritage homes abound in all parts of New West but the Queen’s Park neighbourhood is home to many heritage homes. That neighbourhood has been designated as a heritage conservation area.
Irving House
Take a trip back in time with a visit to Irving House, one of the oldest community heritage sites in BC. Built in 1865, Irving House is a 14-room Gothic Revival style colonial home that belonged to Captain William Irving and family descendants.
- When: Irving House is open Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. (last entry/tour begins at 3 p.m.)
- Where: Irving House, 302 Royal Ave.
- Details: Admission is by donation. Written tours of Irving House in the following languages: Albanian – Shqiptar; Bangla or Bengali – বাংলা; Chinese Simplified - 中文; English; French – Français; German – Deutsche; Italian – Italiano; Japanese - 日本語; Korean – 한국인; Portuguese – Português; and Spanish – Español
