Biographies
Influencers, History Makers & “The Firsts”
Mifflin Wistar Gibbs
"Person of National Historic Significance" designated by the Government of Canada in 2009. The...
The Smith Family Celebrate Christmas
at their home “Seaview” on Dallas Road
Doug Hudlin
“Gentleman Umpire”
Eleanor Collins: More than a Century of Black History!
She fostered the values of equality and acceptance; is recognized as a civic leader and pioneer in...
Golden Wedding Anniversary
December 25th, 1899
Sydna Edmonia Robella Francis
Suffragist, abolitionist, devoted daughter, wife, mother; and property owner Her life's work is...
The M.R. Smith Bakery
This bakery business offered an extraordinary variety of biscuits, fancy breads and baked goods...
George Paris Carter
On April 11, 1930 George Paris Carter turned 70. Colonist April 11, 1930, page 23: The article...
Barbara Howard
First black woman athlete to represent Canada in an International competition and the first person...
Selwyn Romilly
The first black person to be named to the B.C. Supreme Court; is recognized as having made...
Harry Jerome
Fastest man on earth … The Harry Jerome International Track Classic is held annually in honour of...
Rosemary Brown
Politician, feminist, writer, educator, lecturer and mother, Rosemary Brown has contributed much...
Leon Bibb
renowned singer, song-writer, recipient of the Order of B.C. in 2009, founder of "Step-Ahead"...
Pte. Robert Burt Gilbert at Vimy Ridge
Gilbert single-handedly captured a German Officer and 24 of his men at Vimy Ridge. Robert Burt...
Seraphim Joseph Fortes
“Vancouver Citizen of the Century” - Credited with saving at least 29 lives from drowning,...
Sylvia Stark
Born into slavery, as a child she taught herself to read; travelled from Missouri with her...
John Craven Jones
1st teacher on Salt Spring Island circa 1859 to 1875; one of only 16 public school teachers in the...
Ruby Sneed
Renowned Classical Pianist & Music Educator. “If children hear fine music from the day of...
Grafton Tyler Brown: 1st professional Black artist in the Pacific North West
The 1st professional Black artist, working and living in the Pacific North West, British Columbia...
Peter Lester
In February 1860 he was the 1st Black to sit as a juror in B.C. Peter Lester moved with his wife...
Emery Barnes
Emery Barnes was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in 1972 as the first...
William Allen Jones
Pencil sketch by Gene Grooms, local artist (1994). Oberlin College Graduate and Barkerville’s...
Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps
By the spring of 1860 40 to 50 Black men were enrolled in the Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps. The...
Sir James Douglas
James Douglas was born in Demerara, British Guiana, which is now Guyana, in 1803. His father was a...
John Robert Giscome
Giscome Portage Trail bears his name, and is a designated heritage site. Giscome Portage Trail was...
Fielding Spotts
Farmer, cooper, husband, father, church leader, school trustee ... Applicants for British...
Emma Stark
Emma Stark was the 1st Black teacher on Vancouver Island, 1874, at the Cranberry-Cedar School near...
John Sullivan Deas
A tinsmith by trade, Deas became the leading canner on the Fraser River in the 1870's. Deas...
Charles & Nancy Alexander
Patriarch and Matriarch of Alexanders of Victoria, arrived in Victoria aboard the ship Oregon in...