COQUITLAM, B.C., Feb. 9, 2021 – The City of Coquitlam Archives accomplished significant work during 2020, all while adapting to the realities of the global pandemic.
Highlights of 2020 activities include digitizing photographs and documents, making collections more visible to the public, enhancing remote access to support researchers and adding new online exhibits.
2020 By the Numbers
- 38% increase in online traffic
- Since its inception, Quest has received more than 220,000 page views by over 20,000 unique users.
- 1,195 archival descriptions added to the online database
- 196 reference requests
- 19 new acquisitions
- Answered 60 staff requests and provided access to records, historical information and professional expertise on staff projects such as: The Heritage Management Strategy Core Review Team; the City Website project; historic, interpretive signage for Burke Mountain and Hoy Creek Park; and the ongoing Street Naming Database.
Online Exhibits
The Archives continued its popular series of online exhibit, including two exhibits about the history of psychiatric nursing at Riverview Hospital, featuring photographs, documents and memorabilia from the Riverview Hospital Historical Society collection. Other online exhibits explored photograph conservation and the process of researching the history of a house in Coquitlam. You can view online exhibits at www.coquitlam.ca/onlineexhibit.
On Site
Currently on display at the Archives is an exhibit of photographs depicting scenes from early Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam. Early Days: Views Compiled by the Canadian Pacific Railway, 1912–1914, presents ten stunning photographs showing the construction of the new Operating Terminus in what was the Corporation of the District of Coquitlam and what is now the City of Port Coquitlam.
Media
The Archives raised its profile in the community and beyond in 2020. The Tri-City News provided local media coverage for the Archives’ online exhibits, the Archives’ Riverview collection featured heavily in a CityTV News special series on Riverview History, and Westwood Racetrack was profiled in British Columbia History magazine (Spring 2020 edition).
About the City of Coquitlam Archives
Since the inception of the program, Coquitlam Archives has been raising its profile to encourage people to use its services and discover the trove of records in the collection. In addition to online exhibits, other outreach includes weekly #TBT posts on the City’s social media platforms and a collection of historic photos at www.historypin.org. Thousands of archival records, including hundreds of historical images, are available in digital form through the Archives’ online search portal, Quest at www.searcharchives.coquitlam.ca.
The Archives is operating regular business hours and is open Tuesday through Thursday from noon until 4 p.m. or by appointment. An appointment is recommended for those wishing to consult archival material. Contact 604-927-3900 or archives@coquitlam.ca to book an appointment.
Media contact:
Emily Lonie
City Archivist
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3907
elonie@coquitlam.ca