The Places That Matter Community History Resource website is an information-rich website that expands on the original Places That Matter (PTM) plaque program – a project created in 2011 to celebrate Vancouver’s 125th anniversary as an incorporated city. PTM has helped recognize over 100 community-nominated sites, covering some of the people, places and events that tell the stories of Vancouver’s history. Each of the 100+ sites is profiled with their own webpage exhibiting the plaque text, historic research, oral histories, contemporary and historic photos, as well as opportunities for community contribution.
The aim is to further engage residents of Vancouver by providing an accessible digital space for sharing information, while telling inclusive stories about these significant places. We hope this website will appeal to Vancouver residents, newcomers, visitors, students, and researchers, who are interested in local cultural history. Users will access it as a resource guide and as a tool to increase awareness about our city’s past and present.
We welcome edits, comments, feedback, quotes, stories, information and questions in our “submit your story” form. Your contributions will help shape the webpage and its content. Thank you for your online submissions, via the “submit your story” section. We do reserve the right to edit, modify and omit content received.
For any inquiries related to Places That Matter please email Jessica Quan, Community Engagement Manager
The Places That Matter Community History Resource was made possible by generous support from our partners. Thanks to Heritage BC this project was partially funded by the Heritage Legacy Fund for Awareness and Education projects. Thanks to a grant from the Vancouver Historical Society, we were able to complete online research for 85 sites that received plaques. And, thanks to in-kind sponsorship from our web developers Split Mango Media for their continued support. In 2023, a grant from the Vancouver Historical Society and the GMR Foundation will support the creation of a Places That Matter Study Guide for Educators.
Please read through our working “About” PTM document for all aspects of the current project.
Free public presentations and community celebrations have provided opportunities to learn, engage and connect with the many people, places and events that have shaped and continue to shape our city. Presentations or installations are listed chronologically- for more information, please visit the individual pages.
Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity that advances the appreciation and conservation of our city’s diverse heritage places and their stories, raising awareness of the vital contribution that heritage makes to a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community. VHF does this by creating opportunities and resources to learn about Vancouver’s history and heritage places, and providing practical support for the successful conservation of historic buildings and sites. Visit vancouverheritagefoundation.org
Why do one or more of VHF's PTM sites matter to you? Tell us your story or help us with more information. Please note that your story may be used in an edited form in the "Community Stories" section. Thank you!
