Heritage Abbotsford Society is marking its 50th anniversary on Friday, May 17 by partnering with the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) history department to host a day of Abbotsford history.
Retro Abby: Remembering Abbotsford’s Pasts will feature displays by local history and heritage organizations, UFV student research projects, and a panel of speakers who will address a number of engaging local historical issues and topics.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room B132 at UFV’s Abbotsford campus, 33844 King Rd. A free lunch is provided.
Christina Reid, the society’s executive director, said the idea for a joint event was hatched in 2017 to commemorate their 50th anniversary.
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She said the opportunity to partner with UFV presented itself through society board member Robin Anderson, who is an associate professor of history at UFV, and the society’s UFV board liaison, Dr. Ian Rocksborough-Smith.
“Through this partnership, we were able to combine what we do best with what they do best and put together this creative event,” Reid said.
Other organizations participating with presentations, booths and activities on the day include The Reach Gallery Museum, Stó:lo Research and Resource Management Centre, the Sikh Heritage Museum, the Mennonite Heritage Museum, Mennonite Historic Society, Clayburn Village Community Society, and the UFV Library Heritage Collection.
Reid said the society hopes that this event is an opportunity for all the participants to collaborate.
“The event will not just benefit our respective organizations and the UFV student researchers, but it will leave an actual legacy once all is said and done,” she said
“The students’ research will still be here long after the event, and we hope they will continue to collaborate with the participating organizations in the future.”