About

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.

We welcome edits, comments, feedback, quotes, stories, information and questions in our “submit your story” form.  We reserve the right to edit, modify and omit content received. Please read through our working “About” PTM document for all aspects of the current project.

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:

• partial funding from the Heritage Legacy Fund for Awareness and Education through Heritage BC
• Vancouver Historical Society: two separate grants to support online research for the first 85 plaque sites and support for the Places That Matter Study Guide for Schools
• Split Mango Media for their continued support of the website creation and maintenance.
• GMR Foundation for support of the Places That Matter Study Guide for Schools

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. Sites are listed chronologically – for more information, please visit the individual pages.

1.  Stanley Park Rock Garden on October 23rd 2011
2. Out for Lunch Noon Hour Series on December 16th 2011
3. Penthouse Nightclub on April 5th 2012
4. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden on April 24th 2012
5. Original Jewish Community Centre on April 25th 2012
6. Louvre Hotel/Gospel Mission on April 28th 2012
7. Benny’s Market on June 3rd 2012
8. Ace Cycles on June 9th 2012
9. Lakeview Disaster on June 16th 2012
10. Cambie Heating and Plumbing Neon Sign on June 20th 2012
11. Elms of East 6th Avenue on June 22nd 2012
12. Ruth Morton Baptist Church on June 24th 2012
13. Historic Joy Kogawa House on June 26th 2012
14. Collingwood Neighbourhood House on June 27th 2012
15. Kensington Park View on July 1st 2012
16. Dayton Boots Factory on July 13th 2012
17. Vancouver Folk Music Festival on July 13th 2012
18. The Lee Building on July 15th 2012
19. Choklit Park on July 16th 2012
20. King Edward High School Wall (VGH) on July 25th 2012
21. VPL Collingwood Branch on July 26th 2012
22. 2300 Balaclava Block of 100 years old Craftsman style houses on July 28th 2012
23. Strathcona Community Gardens on August 1st 2012
24. Del Mar Inn on August 2nd 2012
25. Canada Place on August 3rd 2012
26. Former City Hall Sites (Four Sisters Co-op) on August 12th 2012
27. Arbutus Grocery (Arbutus Coffee) on August 19th 2012
28. Kitsilano Neighbourhood House on August 25th 2012
29. Davie Street Village on September 8th 2012
30. The Unitarian Church on September 9th 2012
31. The Gathering Place on September 9th 2012
32. First Sikh Temple on September 15th 2012
33. Mountain View Cemetery on September 15th 2012
34. Loretta Lynn and the Chicken Coop on September 16th 2012
35. Jericho Arts Centre on September 22nd 2012
36. First United Church on October 10th 2012
37. Cyclone Taylor Arena (Kerrisdale Arena) on October 13th 2012
38. Former Point Grey Municipal Hall (Kerrisdale Community Centre) on October 13th 2012
39. Hastings Race Course on October 14th 2012
40. Beatrice Lennie Reliefs (Shaughnessy Hospital) on October 19th 2012
41. Trout Lake on October 27th 2012
42. Walter and Mary Lee Chan House on November 3rd 2012
43. Spencer’s Department Store (Harbour Centre – SFU Campus) on November 7th 2012
44. Vancouver Free University (The CULTCH) on November 26th 2012
45. Livestock Building, Hastings Park on December 1st 2012
46. The Railway Club on December 8th 2012
47. Bloedel Conservatory on December 15th 2012
48. Burrard View Park (St James’ Cottage Hospice) on December 16th 2012
49.  China Creek Cycle Track on February 6th 2013
50. Hogan’s Alley on February 24th 2013
51. Russian Community Centre on March 23rd 2013
52. Arts Club Theatre Company original site (Vancity Film Theatre) on April 3rd 2013
53. Punjabi Market on April 13th 2013
54. Gibby’s Field on May 3rd 2013
55. Nellie Yip Quong House on May 25th 2013
56. Celtic Cannery on June 8th 2013
57. Maple Grove Park Stumps on June 15th 2013
58. The Western Front on June 16th 2013
59. Save on Meats on June 25th 2013
60. Expo Legacy- Science World on June 26th 2013
61. Celebrities on June 27th 2013
62. The First Gas Station in Canada on June 29th 2013
63. Lions Gate Bridge on July 17th 2013
64. WISE Hall on August 9th 2013
65. Arbutus Corridor on August 24th 2013
66. Shakespeare Garden on August 25th 2013
67. Pacific Coliseum on August 28th 2013
68. Wooden Roller Coaster on August 28th 2013
69. Nat Bailey Stadium on August 29th 2013
70. First City Hospital on October 9th 2013
71. Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret on December 4th 2013
72. Original Border of Vancouver at Nanaimo Street on February 2nd 2014
73. Canron Building on February 23rd 2014
74. Burrard Skytrain Station– Art Phillips Park on April 24th 2014
75. VanDusen Botanical Garden on May 22nd 2014
76. Sunset Beach Park on May 27th 2014
77. Major Matthews House on June 12th 2014
78. Robson Square on June 20th 2014
79. The Commodore Ballroom on November 26th 2014
80. West Hastings Street “Canada’s Magnificent Pacific Harbour” on June 26th 2015
81. Along the Bluff  on June 26th 2015
82. It’s a Parade! on June 26th 2015
83. Financial District on June 26th 2015
84. Tourism on June 26th 2015
85. Temple Sholom on October 23rd 2016
86. Francophone Village on September 30th 2017
87. J.W. Sexsmith Community School on September 21st 2018
88. B.C. Place Stadium on November 8th 2019
89. Mennonite Maids on June 17th 2021
90. Hamilton Harron Funeral Home in January 2022
91. Militant Mothers of Raymur on May 7th 2022
92. China Creek Bowls Skatepark on July 16th 2022
93. Seraphim “Joe” Fortes on October 1st 2022
94. Douglas Park on June 22 2024

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

VHF recognizes the diverse history and cultural heritage of Vancouver and that the city is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam),Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.