It's Douglas Day in BC.
BC's first governor Sir James Douglas was raised in Scotland, after
being born in British Guyana to a Scottish father and a Creole mother.
And then there are rivers named after Scottish-Canadian explores
Alexander Mackenzie and Simon Fraser.
I think I will go visit the event to ensure a Chinese presence…. hee hee… there was no head tax or exclusion act in effect back in 1858. 2008 is also the 120th anniversary of the arrival in Canada of Rev. Chan Sing Kai who came to help start the Chinese Methodist Church. Hi younger brother, my great-great-grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan followed in 1896. CBC made a television documentary in 2007 titled Generations: The Chan Legacy
For more information on the provincial celebration, including evening concert details, visit the BC 150 website.
Douglas Day
Wednesday, November 19th
from 10:00 am – 8:30pm
James Douglas
© Parks Canada
Our big day! BC turns 150 years old today, and it all started right
here. On November 19th, 1858 Governor James Douglas read a proclamation
in Fort Langley’s Big House declaring the territory a British Colony.
Parks Canada is offering free admission for the day, so celebrate the
birth of British Columbia at Fort Langley. Enjoy the BC 150 theatre
presentation, tours, and more! Our costumed staff and volunteers will
be out in force providing activities and fun for the whole family.
- Photograph yourself into history: bring your camera, don
one of our costumes and have your picture taken with the mural
depicting the famous moment - Sign a certificate with a fountain pen stating you were at BC's birthplace ON the big day! (150 years later)
- Visit the theatre to “Build” British Columbia with a huge soft-sculpture map of the province
- Ongoing blacksmithing and barrel-making demonstrations
- Kids can try their hand stringing cranberries, rolling a barrel or tackling an obstacle course!
Be a part of your provincial history on November 19th at Fort Langley NHS!
For more information on the provincial celebration, including evening concert details, visit the BC 150 website.