In 2024, the Archives digitized thousands of documents and photos while adding unique records to its permanent collection.
COQUITLAM, B.C., February 26, 2025 – In 2024, the Archives digitized thousands of documents and photos while adding unique records to its permanent collection.
As the City of Coquitlam Archives continues to grow, so does its use of technology to preserve and share the community's history. These activities, along with other highlights, are detailed in the 2024 Archives Annual Report at coquitlam.ca/CityArchives.
2024 by the Numbers
The Archives uses technology to safeguard fragile materials while providing broader access to its expanding holdings, benefiting residents and researchers both locally and globally.
Notable accomplishments from 2024 include:
- 55% increase in traffic on the Quest online portal compared to 2023
- 29,484 page views on Quest from users in Canada, the U.S., China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the U.K., Ireland, the Philippines, Australia, and Japan (Quest has been viewed by 86,226 users since its launch)
- 135 reference requests from the public and City staff
- 43 researchers reviewing materials on-site
- 3 new online exhibits
These achievements and more can be viewed in the 2024 Archives Annual Report at coquitlam.ca/CityArchives.
Outreach and Community Impact
The Archives engaged with the community through events, presentations, and partnerships in 2024. Highlights included Jamie Sanford’s “Archivist Talk, City Archives Uncovered” at the City Centre Library, a genealogy presentation to the BC Genealogical Society, and participation in the Canada Day celebrations at Lafarge Lake.
Coquitlam’s archival collections continued to support local projects, such as Coquitlam Heritage’s exhibits and the Tri-City News "Headlines from the Past" series. Archival materials, including photographs, were also featured in the publication Ever a Nurse: The Story of Lil Sheehan. These initiatives demonstrate the Archives’ role in preserving and sharing Coquitlam’s history.
Explore Coquitlam’s History through Online Exhibits
Coquitlam’s online exhibits offer a unique look into the city’s past. Visit coquitlam.ca/OnlineExhibit to explore 26 exhibits on a variety of topics. In 2024, new exhibits included Fraser Mills Logbook Illuminates South Asian Millworkers, celebrating Fraser Mills’ rich cultural history; Don Cunnings: City Champion, highlighting Coquitlam’s first Parks and Recreation director; and Emeri Paré’s Police Logbooks, showcasing life during the First World War.
New exhibits are regularly added, offering engaging stories, new acquisitions, and updates on upcoming events.
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 (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.