People Archives | British Columbia’s Black Pioneers

Oberlin College Class Photo 1855

Oberlin College, originally called Oberlin Collegiate Institute until 1850, is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio. In 1833, Presbyterian ministers John Jay Sipherd and Philo P. […]

“I’m a direct descendant of Charles and Nancy Alexander”

Karen Hoshal is a long-term member including serving on the Board for the BC Black History Awareness Society, in interview format. Location: Karen is seated on a piano […]

The Fort Victoria Brick Project Commemorates Black Pioneers

In 1986 the City of Victoria undertook The Fort Victoria Brick Project to commemorate early Victoria pioneers and settlers. A double row of 1000 bricks was laid from […]

“Dandridge House” built by John and Charlotte Dandridge

This house has been relocated, stripped of its architectural details, sold, and lived in by different families over the years. Having been restored to most of its original […]

Sir James Douglas, 1863. Governor of Vancouver Island (1851–64) and British Columbia (1858–64)

Since 1851 James Douglas held 2 jobs, Chief Factor for the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), operating from Fort Victoria and Governor of the Crown Colony of Vancouver Island. […]

Willis and John Stark (1890)

Willis Otis Stark and his brother John Edmond Stark, in a professional portrait taken at the Elite Studio in Nanaimo, B.C. John Edmond made his living by prospecting […]

In memory of Emily Arabella (Emma) Stark 1856 – 1890

Emma’s great-grandniece Naidine Sims with her daughter and granddaughter view the plaque at Emma’s former address in Nanaimo, B.C. The plaque reads: In memory of Emily Arabella (Emma) […]

Emma Stark as a young woman (1875)

The photo is believed to have been taken at a portrait studio in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, B.C. Emma was teaching in the nearby community of Cedar.

Emma Stark, daughter of Sylvia and Louis Stark

A formal portrait of Emily Arabella Stark, hand tinted, possibly taken while she was a schoolteacher.

Bricks and Mortar “classroom”

Location: Bastion Square marks the original site of Fort Victoria. It is located in the heart of downtown Victoria. The east entrance is located at View and Government […]

Courage, Hope, Anticipation, Confidence is reflected in the faces of these intrepid Black pioneers

These are a few of the men, women and children who had an indelible effect on Colonial B.C. and the future of British Columbia. Top L-R: Nancy Lester: […]

Willis Stark and the cougar (1900)

Willis Stark, known for his cougar hunting expertise, pictured here with one of his dogs, a gun and the cougar that he has shot on Salt Spring Island, […]