Lest We Forget: Aboriginal Veterans

George Hadden, Tommy Fillardeau, Bob Brown and James Hadden in uniform outside of the Edal Cafe. (Photo: Langley Centennial Museum) Although they had few rights, Indigenous men in Canada stepped forward in significant numbers to serve during the Great War, World War II and the Korean War.  Every eligible man between the age of 20 and 35 from Okanagan Head of the Lake Band enlisted. George McLean, a Douglas Lake cowboy, returned home a decorated hero after single-handedly killing 19 of the enemy and capturing 40 others.  Roy Cromarty (aka Sam Garner) was a Sto:lo man who lost his life in the fall of 1917.  Locally, Thomas “Tommy” Fillardeau, of mixed Métis/Kwantlen heritage, served during the Second World War. (His great-grandfather worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Langley.) The Langley Centennial Museum’s digital archive includes the above photo, and a very brief biographical sketch of Tommy:   “Thomas [...]

2021-11-10T03:35:30+00:00October 24th, 2021|

Action!

    Langley Heritage Society and Creative Compass Society are filming  "Wheels of Time" which was performed live at the CN Station two summers ago. The short production is centred around the role of the historic station in the life of Langley, and some prominent citizens, like Dr Benjamin Marr and Station Agent Richard Simpson and his wife Mary.  It's been great fun working with these creative volunteers. Stay tuned for news about the big launch. For more on the Creative Compass Society and their promotion of the arts in Langley, go HERE.             

2021-09-26T02:38:59+00:00September 26th, 2021|

Fred Pepin’s Virtual Tour of Historic Murrayville

If you missed the recent virtual tour of Murrayville conducted by Langley Heritage Society president Fred Pepin, you can watch it via the Township of Langley's Facebook page HERE. It was a real hit, with hundreds of people tuning in. Fred covered a lot of ground with photos and descriptions of this historic  community -- the Traveller's Inn (built in 1877), the Barry Farm, the Old Yale Road, Porter's Store, Five Corners, the pump house, Harrower & Lamb/Stirling Houses (restored by the Langley Heritage Society), Murrayville Garage (which began life as a blacksmith shop), the re-purposed Murrayville School, the Community Hall, cemetery, Hagerty House (adaptive reuse), Sharon United Church and more. He had some restoration tips too: "Instead of replacing original windows -- have wooden storm windows made. The house is quiet, warmer and cooler in the summer. Preserves the look of the building too." And memories: "The stumps were [...]

2021-03-05T02:57:44+00:00March 5th, 2021|

Heritage Week in Langley Township

Langley Centennial Museum is hosting four speaker events during Heritage Week, February 16 - 18. Langley Heritage Society's president, Fred Pepin, will take you on a virtual bus tour of historic Murrayville. To register for this online event and others, visit HERE.  

2021-02-11T00:29:17+00:00February 11th, 2021|

When the Spanish Flu Hit Langley 

Maria, Herbert, Florence, and Harry Cassidy at home in Murrayville c. 1911. Langley Centennial Museum photo 0114 A century after the Spanish Flu swept across the world, Langley historian and author Warren Sommer recounts how the disease affected the people of Langley. Social distancing, self-isolation, and quarantine. Wash your hands and don’t touch your face. Each of these terms and instructions is now sadly familiar to all of us. The current Covid 19 pandemic has us worried about older friends and relatives, anxious about the economy, and wondering when we’ll be able to resume activities formerly taken for granted All of these concerns would have been easily recognized by Langley residents a century ago. In the spring of 1920 the global influenza pandemic, inaccurately known at the time as the Spanish Flu, had been underway for over two years. Its effects were devastating. Those who contracted the virus saw their skin [...]

2020-06-01T19:32:52+00:00June 1st, 2020|

Local History At Your Fingertips

"Langley's Historic Places" is an expanding online archive of photos, background information and maps connected to Sites of Significance in Langley Township. Use the website's search box in the upper right corner to locate specific buildings and sites. New profiles recently added include: Alex Houston Residence, Annand/Rowlatt Farmstead, Coronation Block, Fidler/Worrell Residence, F.J. Hart Building/BC Telephone Co Exchange, Fort Langley Cemetery, Hassall Residence, Lochiel School, Moir Residence and Loucks Residence. Detailed research from the "Our Shared History" project (which LHS was involved with) is also available on this site -- an excellent resource for people wanting to learn more abut Langley's history. Visit HERE.

2020-05-27T05:59:41+00:00October 24th, 2019|

“Wheels of Time” Roll Until Thanksgiving Weekend

When trains rumble past the CN station in the middle of a production, our crew is ready. "Wheels of Time” has kicked off on the platform of the CNR Station in Fort Langley. The whimsical production journeys through time to highlight Langley people and events from 1910 to 1969, with special attention to the role of the CNR Station in Langley's history.   British war bride Lois Bowling, Dr Benjamin Marr and carpenter Billy Brown are among the local local historical figures who make appearances. Written by LHS board member Mark Forsythe, the play was brought to life by the Creative Compass Society under the guidance of Brigitte Seib. The society was created in honour of her late son, Myles, a musician who loved the arts. The Society’s mission is to help mentor emerging local talent.       Thank you to the entire volunteer production team, including LHS board [...]

2020-05-27T05:59:41+00:00September 1st, 2019|

Blooming Good Time at the CN Station

Camperdown Elm trees are exploding at the Fort Langley CN Station. Three of them are part of the Heritage Garden that's getting an overhaul this spring. We also have a brand new retaining wall that now stops the slope from sliding into the garden. Thanks to the Township of Langley crew for a great job! And can't forget the new signage that we've added in the off season. We'll open beginning on the Victoria Day weekend, and are looking for new volunteers to join us. Find out more HERE.       

2020-05-27T05:59:46+00:00April 15th, 2019|

Marr Memories: Get Me To The Church On Time

Benjamin and Drew Marr (Langley Centennial Museum) Wedding Day Mishap As told by Ann Marr, granddaughter of Benjamin & Drew Marr “My grandparents were married on September 10th, 1913, on a Wednesday afternoon in the Presbyterian Church (now St. Andrews). This is the story of the events that I grew up with: The best-man was Dr. M.C. Bagnall, who arrived at Jardine Station from Vancouver on the B.C. Electric Railway. Grandfather was there to meet him with a spirited team of for the two mile trip back to Fort Langley. All went well and at a fast clip, until not too far from their new home, a trace broke causing the wheels to jam. The buggy flipped over throwing Dr Bagnall clear, but dragging Grandfather for quite some distance. Now what about the vase? This was the best-man’s gift to the bride. It too was in the buggy and thrown [...]

2020-05-27T05:59:50+00:00February 13th, 2019|

New Interpretive Signs at Fort Langley CN Station

Next time you visit the CN Station in Fort Langley, have a look at our new interpretive signs. The one above describes the mission of the Langley Heritage Society and the sign below details some of the station's 100 year long history. 

2020-05-27T05:59:51+00:00December 21st, 2018|

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