2023 Historical Society AGM

At the Nanaimo Historical Society’s AGM on Thursday, March 9, a very interested audience heard about the research behind NHS member Dalys Barney’s recently published booklet Message on a Bottle: Nanaimo’s Soda History, about single-serving glass soda bottles and Nanaimo manufacturers who were bottling and selling soda as early as… Read more

Nanaimo’s Soda Bottling History

Dalys Barney, NHS member, self-published the booklet Message on a Bottle: Nanaimo’s Soda History (February 2023) This will appeal to bottle collectors and to those interested in Vancouver Island history. The booklet is now for sale at the Nanaimo Museum, or by contacting Dalys directly here ($10 in person in the… Read more

Self Guided Tour of Morden Mine

Here is a self-guided historical interpretive trail walking tour of Morden, courtesy of Simon Priest, local resident/student of history, and Mike Laroque, from The Friends of Morden Mine. Morden Tour On June 18, 2022, Nanaimo Historical Society held a picnic and tour at Morden Colliery Historical Provincial Park. More than… Read more

January Show and Share

At Nanaimo Historical Society’s January 12 annual Show and Share meeting, members and guests brought a variety of artifacts, stories, and memorabilia to discuss. The meeting was opened with a welcome song by Society member and Snuneymuxw Cultural Guide, Dave Bodaly. Items shown and discussed included artifacts from the Extension… Read more

Harewood: Land of Wakesiah

This booklet about the early history of the Harewood area in Nanaimo was published by the Harewood Centennial Committe in 1967. Complete with many photos, this collection of information from residents of the area is an interesting look at the history from the time white settlement began. Read this document… Read more

The E&N Railroad: Obstacles & Challenges Still Visible Today

Our November 10 guest presenter, Mike Bonkowski, treated us to a great slideshow of selected sections of the now overgrown and silent Esquimalt and Nanaimo (E&N) railway negotiated mountain ranges, rivers, hills, gullies and road crossings. He discussed both the main rail line, from Victoria to Courtenay, and the rail… Read more

VIU Student History Award Winners

Two VIU history students received annual awards that the Nanaimo Historical Society supports. Brianna Mackey was the 2022 recipient of the Ethel Barraclough Memorial Award for her research paper “Birthing Practices of North American First Nations Women: Community Bonds and the Power Within”. Isabella Ranallo was the 2022 recipient of… Read more

Cedar Historical Tour

In June of 2022, the Cedar community celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Cedar Hall. Compiled by Roger Prior for the Cedar Community Hall Centennial Committee (copyright April 2022), a self- guided tour of the area near to the Hall is now available on our website here: https://nanaimohistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/North-Cedar-History-tour-June-2022.pdf

Departure Bay Historical Stroll

On Saturday morning, October 8, the Nanaimo Historical Society hosted a walking tour of Departure Bay Beach. Co-led by Dave Bodaly, Snuneymuxw Cultural Guide, who spoke of the long history of the Snuneymuxw village site, Stl’ilep, and Ted Lord, a NHS Director, the walk proceeded along the waterfront and touched… Read more

Nanaimo’s Last Hanging / Flying Dutchman

At Nanaimo Historical Society’s September 8 evening meeting, Dave Flawse revealed the story of Nanaimo’s last hanging (of Henry Wagner, whose alias was Jack the Flying Dutchman). Ex-convicts and thieves Henry Wagner and his accomplice William Julian attempted to rob the Fraser and Bishop General Store in Union Bay the… Read more