VIRTUAL HISTORY TOUR

www.heritagebcstops.com

Heritage BC has launched a new interactive website that explores over 100 Stops of Interest throughout the province. The original plaques have a special place in the hearts of many travellers. It seems appropriate, for the recent sesquicentennial, that the concept is re-visited and refreshed, utilizing new ‘state of the art’ technologies to help make provincial history more widely accessible, interesting and fun...and it’s not just for kids.

The original plaque program was originally developed for the provincial centennial in 1958 to mark sites of historic significance.  Over the years, signs were added sporadically – eleven new signs have recently been erected by the Ministry of Transportation to celebrate BC150.  The BC150-Heritage Legacy Fund grant program seemed the perfect opportunity to bring a wealth of knowledge inspired by these signs to the internet...and to have some fun at the same time.

History

Visitors are invited to grab a ticket to take one of nine regional tours and explore over 100 Stops.  At each Stop you will find the copy of the original sign plus interesting background information edited and updated by historian John Adams.  Hundreds of images from the BC Archives and other sources, as well as contemporary photos are presented in an interactive slideshow. In addition, over 35 more official signs are identified which are either out of date, ‘missing in action’ or did not fit the history tour concept.

Geography

New technology and interactive tools from Google Maps help visitors navigate around the website – and the province.  Zoom in, scroll around, follow the links to Stops on the road maps, or click on the compass icon for a satellite view.  Records of the original sign locations are a bit vague;  however new GPS technology makes precise longitude and latitude coordinates possible – we invite everyone to log in and help find all the signs.

Education

As an educational opportunity, Heritage BC Stops is informative, entertaining and visually stimulating.  Students can apply for a Heritage BC Passport to review their progress and, at each Stop, do a simple, skill-testing quiz.  A Resource Library has been initiated with a growing list of local and provincial sources and links, 12 lesson plans for teachers,  and ideas about how to use the Maps, Passports, and Games to enhance the learning experience.

Community

Web 2.0 is all about connecting people with common interests through user-generated content – with limitless potential to extend the content and relevance of this website over time.  Heritage BC Stops provides simple online tools and forms for anyone to add comments, upload images and create links.  You can contribute your knowledge of local history, add archive images, write a book review, tell a travel anecdote, or share a family photo.

We encourage everyone to visit Heritage BC Stops.com! Send us your feedback, spread the word, and most importantly, take the opportunity to promote local community resources and links for preservation societies, publications, museums, tourism attractions and more. 

» www.heritagebcstops.com

BY LIS BAILLY, PORTFOLIO ART SERVICES, 250.479.2868