Events
David Spaner’s Strathcona
SOLD OUT!
Step into the heart of one of Vancouver’s oldest and most culturally rich neighborhoods with author David Spaner, as he brings his latest novel, Keefer Street, to life. The story follows Jake Feldman, a young man growing up on Keefer Street in a vibrant immigrant working-class community, who eventually leaves home to join the International Brigades in the fight against fascism during the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s.
From the Jewish heritage of Keefer Street, to the Italian influence on Union and Prior, and the Chinese community along East Pender, Strathcona has long been a tapestry of diverse cultures and voices.
The Chung | Lind Gallery, UBC
Speaker: Eve Lazarus
Join us for an engaging afternoon at UBC’s Rare Books and Special Collections Library. Librarian Chelsea Shriver will guide us through the unique holdings of the Chung | Lind Gallery, featuring:
- The Chung Collection – Over 25,000 rare items highlighting British Columbia’s history and the Chinese experience in North America.
- The Lind Klondike Gold Rush Collection – A look at the transformative impact of the Klondike era on Canada’s economy, Indigenous communities, and beyond.
We’ll also hear from Dr. Mathieu Caron and Dr. Denise Jacques, who will share insights into the collections’ historical importance.
After the tour, we’ll gather for a casual Q&A at DaBao café with Rochelle Mazar and Allan Cho, who will speak about the history and community role of the Learning Centre.
Then and Now: Downtown and the Waterfront
Speaker: Eve Lazarus
Our field trip begins at the plaza of Cathedral Place, where we will consider the Art Deco movement and its application in Vancouver. Our guides, Don Luxton and Michael Kluckner, will discuss the efforts to preserve the Georgia Medical Dental Building. From there, we will walk along the seawall and revisit the transformation of Vancouver’s waterfront—from its origins as a heavily industrialized area to the present pedestrian walkway.
Our final stop will take Vancouver Historical Society members to the old Art Deco boardroom of the Georgia Medical Dental Building, now meticulously preserved within an office-condo building at Cardero and Georgia. This building is an intriguing example of modern ‘flex’ office space. At this destination, coffee will be served.
Tickets will be available for purchase via Eventbrite. An e-blast will be sent to our members with full details, and public promotion will follow shortly on our social media channels.
Fall/Winter 2025
The May lecture was the last one until the fall. The lecture schedule for Fall/Winter 2025 will be available soon. Please check back.
Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable summer!
NOTE: We have returned to the Museum of Vancouver since the April lecture. For those not wishing to attend in person, the lectures will be broadcast live on the Vancouver Historical Society’s YouTube channel.