About VHF

What We Do

Land Acknowledgment

Vancouver Heritage Foundation recognizes the diverse history and cultural heritage of Vancouver and that the city is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.

VHF aims to highlight and center the diversity of stories, histories, and heritage places that are part of Vancouver’s past, present, and future. To find resources created by local Indigenous communities please visit our Indigenous Heritage page. 

You may be finding us from elsewhere in the world and we invite you to reflect on the Indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands you occupy and conduct your work. 

About

Vancouver Heritage Foundation was created as a charitable organization in 1992. The City of Vancouver Mayor and Councillors were VHF’s first Directors and remain Honorary Members today. Our current liaison is Councillor Lisa Dominato.

Through our events, programming, and resources, we create opportunities for current and new Vancouverites to learn about the place they live. We aim to reach beyond built heritage to center the diverse history and cultural heritage of Vancouver and inspire the next generation of heritage lovers. Alongside our programming, we provide financial and practical support for the successful conservation of historic buildings and sites.

  • Vision

    Vancouverites value and conserve their heritage and understand how historic places and their stories contribute to a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community.

  • Mission

    VHF advances the appreciation and conservation of our city’s diverse heritage places and their stories. We raise awareness of the vital contribution that heritage makes to a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community.

  • Values

    Community-focused – We focus on people and community. Heritage places have meaning because people give them meaning through their memories, stories, experiences, and feelings. We aim to connect people to heritage and to each other and promote values-based conservation practices.

    Authentic – We strive to share accurate information. We recognize that there are multiple perspectives, and that diverse representation is important.

    Future-focused – We see the past as a foundation on which to build a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future. Heritage is not static nor rooted solely in the past.

    Adaptable – We are not bound by one definition of heritage. We embrace nuance, context, and the evolution of ideas. We are not limited to one way of getting our message across. We embrace variety in our programming, special projects, and granting operations.

    Accessible – We recognize and remove barriers wherever possible to promote active participation for all who are interested.

VHF's work today focuses on these key areas:

Heritage Matters Committee with Vancouver City Council

VHF believes that increasing housing across the city while retaining heritage is not only possible, but a win-win for everyone who values the livability of our city. 

We provide actionable policy options to the City of Vancouver Mayor and Council for updating heritage/character retention policies.

Heritage Conservation Grants for homeowners

Yosef Wosk Publication Grant

Robert Lemon Heritage Studies Prize for students

Field Trip Grants for teachers

Walking tours, talks, lunch & learn series

Professional Development Days for teachers

Conservation workshops for professionals and homeowners

Heritage Site Finder

Vancouver House Styles

True Colours Palette

Reading Room library

Digital map guides

Education resources and study guides for teachers

A community nominated project and resource that celebrates and shares the lesser-known histories and stories of the people, places and events that have shaped Vancouver.

Visit the site!

History

Vancouver Heritage Foundation was created as a charitable organization in 1992. The City of Vancouver Mayor and Councillors were VHF’s first Directors and remain Honorary Members today. Since 1998, VHF has been governed by a private citizen Board comprised of up to 15 voting Directors and 3 non-voting members, who are appointed by Mayor & Council. At that time, recognizable programs were developed and established such as the True Colours grant program, Heritage & Antiques Fair, and the “Old News” newsletter.

In the early 2000’s, programming continued to be expanded including creation of a website, workshops and seminars, Restore It! grant (now Heritage Conservation grant), and the first House Tour in 2003. Through the mid 2000’s, education became a large focus with development of public walking tours, the reading room library, Old School: Courses for Heritage Conservation, Brown Bag Lunch and Learn series, and map guides. The 2010’s were a substantial growth period for the Foundation into what it is today. By 2010, House Tours were further established with the Mid-Century Modern Tour, Vancouver Special Tour, and the Laneway House Tour. To celebrate the City of Vancouver’s 125th anniversary of incorporation, the Places That Matter plaque project was launched in 2011 and is currently a pillar of the Foundation’s programming. In 2012, the Foundation rebranded with a modern look inspired by the True Colours palette and 2014 saw the launch of the Heritage Site finder. 

In 2022, VHF celebrated 30 years of operations. View our Archive page for an overview of projects and events we have had available in the past.