The Places That Matter Community History Resource website is an information-rich website that expands on the original Places That Matter (PTM) plaque program – a project created in 2011 to celebrate Vancouver’s 125th anniversary as an incorporated city. PTM has helped recognize 125 community-nominated sites, covering some of the people, places and events that tell the story of Vancouver’s history. Each of the 125 sites is profiled with their own webpage exhibiting the plaque text, historic research, oral histories, contemporary and historic photos, as well as opportunities for community contribution.
The aim is to further engage residents of Vancouver by providing an accessible digital space for sharing information, while telling inclusive stories about these significant places. We hope this website will appeal to Vancouver residents, newcomers, visitors, students, and researchers, who are interested in local cultural history. Users will access it as a resource guide and as a tool to increase awareness about our city’s past and present.
In 2021, Places That Matter celebrated its 10th anniversary year!
This project is made possible by the support of countless volunteers and partners
Places That Matter’s Site Selection Committee
John Atkin, Rebecca Bolwitt, Arabella Campbell, Marguerite Ford, Charles Gauthier, Michael Kluckner, Kamala Todd, Hal Wake, Catherine Wang and Bruce Watson
Awards
2019 City of Vancouver Heritage Award of Honour for Education and Awareness
2019 Heritage BC Award of Honour for Education and Awareness
February 20th, 2025 Doors Open at 7pm
ANZA Club, 3 8th Ave W
Free
Join Vancouver Heritage Foundation and Australia New Zealand Association (ANZA Club) on Thursday, February 20th, for the presentation of Places that Matter Plaque #95. It will be a night of live music performances, beer tastings, history...and hot dogs! Discover the story of how a society started in 1935 for the purpose of connecting visitors from down under, became an independent venue, a community driven members club, and a hidden but not so secret fixture of the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood. The Doors for this event open at 7pm and the event starts at 8pm. This event is a 19+ event.
7pm: Doors
8pm: Speeches
8:30pm Live Music and mingling.
Photo of Mural on the side of the ANZA Club building. Photo Credit: Jessica Quan.
If you’re wondering how the original PTM sites got selected, watch this video from a February 26, 2011 where a steady stream of the curious stopped by large maps covered with dots and stickies marking the sites already nominated at a public event at the Vancouver Public Library.
Curious about the plaque selection and production process? Visit the About page on placesthatmatter.ca!
The Places That Matter plaque project and the Community History Resource website are initiatives of Vancouver Heritage Foundation. Your support will help sustain and grow the project and build awareness and appreciation of the sites and local history recognized through the program.
A few ways in which your donations support VHF and the PTM Community History Resource: