Coquitlam City Archives’ latest online exhibit addresses some common questions and provides practical tips on how to access its records.
COQUITLAM, B.C., Sept. 6, 2023 – Ever wondered about the work of the City Archives and how to search its collection of civic and community records?
As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, the City Archives’ latest online exhibit pulls back the curtain to address some common questions and provide practical tips on how to access the records it preserves. Entitled Archives 101, the exhibit can be found at coquitlam.ca/Archives101.
The Basics: What are the Archives?
The term “archives” refers to both a collection of unique and authentic historical records, and the repository that holds them – in Coquitlam’s case, the publicly accessible City Archives office at 1171 Pinetree Way with its temperature-controlled vault.
Since it was founded in 2013, the City Archives has expanded to include not only a vast array of civic administrative records, but also donated community records that tell the story of Coquitlam through its people, businesses and organizations. These records may include manuscripts, photos, maps, art and recordings.
In Archives 101, readers learn about the value of archives to society, the role of archivists, typical archival terms, and some of the history of archival recordkeeping. Did you know the concept of a modern archives has its roots in the French Revolution? Read the exhibit to learn more.
Using the Archives
For those interested in doing historical research who don’t know where to begin, Archives 101 walks readers through the various options for accessing archival records, including a comprehensive, illustrated step-by-step guide for using the Quest online portal.
In-person visits are also possible, during the drop-in hours Tuesdays through Thursdays from 12 to 4 p.m., or by appointment on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Archives 101 recommends searching the City Archives’ online search portal, Quest, before visiting in person to get a sense of the available records suited to their project, and also contacting the Archives staff in advance so they can have the records prepared. The staff may also be able to recommend additional collections that could be relevant.
The Archives houses one-of-a-kind originals – they may not be borrowed or removed from the site, but staff will advise if records may be scanned or photographed.
Explore Online Exhibits
The City of Coquitlam Archives' online exhibit webpage, coquitlam.ca/OnlineExhibit, features 22 online exhibits on a variety of topics. Archives staff produce a new exhibit each quarter, mining the Archives for insightful and sometimes quirky stories about Coquitlam’s past. Some exhibits also share information about new acquisitions and highlight upcoming events.
Each online exhibit marries engaging text with scans of documents, maps and photos to bring the subjects to life. For example Coquitlam’s First World War soldiers, the local business that was Canada’s first plywood producer, early scrapbooking efforts, Colony Farm’s Holstein herd, the Westwood racing circuit, psychiatric nursing at Essondale, the 1981 B.C. Summer Games and more.
About the City of Coquitlam Archives
The City of Coquitlam Archives serves a dual purpose: to preserve and to make accessible. Since the inception of the archives program, the Archives has been raising its profile to encourage people to use its services and discover the wealth of records in the collection.
For more information about the City of Coquitlam Archives, visit coquitlam.ca/CityArchives.
Media contact:
Jamie Sanford
City Archivist
604-927-3900
archives@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.