Ladysmith and District Historical Society, BC, Canada

It has been suggested that we all "mine the history of Ladysmith". We know the coal mines are long gone, but the concept of digging up the history is alive and well. It is important to us that the residents help us to dig up the history of Ladysmith. And remember "history started just a mere second ago".

People who own houses have approached us already to give them the history of the building. Nearly every house below or near 4th has a historical significance attached to it. We actually found details on one house that told us it was designed and built by P. Leonard James, who also designed the Lake Louise swimming pool, the Royal Jubilee Hospital of 1921 to 25, and Crystal Gardens of 1924.

Because the website is growing so fast we are adding more information almost daily. So, it is recommended that you return to the home page as often as you can where we try to keep the main index current. Otherwise you just might miss something new! As well, when you open a page you look at regularly use your Refresh/Reload icon (or just hit the F5 key) to make sure you have the latest information.

A number of pictures are clickable for a larger image. When you put your cursor on a picture (usually with a coloured border) it changes to a hand. Clicking on the picture will bring up a larger image of it. As well some text in articles is underlined or coloured. That is a direct link to the appropriate topic and is clickable.

We were honoured by the 2010 torch running through Ladysmith. In preparation for this the 49th parallel allowed us to set up a display in their windows. Drop by and read about the history of past participation in Olympics by our athletes.

Our first research section is almost done. We have nearly 3,000 images, a lot of which are unidentified. We invite everyone to visit the pages and tell us if they recognize where or what they are. Go to the search page by clicking here and help us out

We do not make a big deal of it, but for those wishing to do research we have a free wireless connection. This will allow research of both our resources and those of the internet. You are welcome to bring your laptop and use these connections. It has never been tested but it might even work in Tim Hortons on a good day.

Be sure and check our links page for more information sources. The links directory is only visible from this page. Closing your browser window should get you back here.

Out in the sun... great parade we had an old truck loaned to us by the Williams family. We took home 2 ribbons. A 1st for theme, and a 3rd for costumes. Picture shows our depiction of early Delivery Room. Nurse Susan with a baby that is now over 50 years old, Ms. Rob Johnson (lots of hair) and Dr. Kit. Hope he wakes up in time.... Anyway getting serious. Uniform original loaned to us by Wilma Wickham. Examining table from Dr. Wickham. Wheelchair found in Thrift Centre. Truck (which almost made it to the end of the parade) by the Williams family. And of course Kit Wilmot... (picture is clickable).

And talk about "Deja Vu" all over again, picture at left is from 2004 Ladysmith Hospital Auxiliary float

Check out our "Research the Archive" link at the left or click here. We have over 2000 images cataloged with descriptions. It is part of the Barber Grant project mentioned below but has some really interesting information already. If you want better resolution pictures for research of private use we only charge for the cost of reproduction. Commercial use will require an agreement and possible fee for use.

Irving (Ike) Barber was a foremost entrepreneur in British Columbia. A recognized pioneer and businessman in the BC Forestry Industry. Graduating from the University of British Columbia in 1950 he went on to a distinguished career in forestry. In 1978 he founded Slocan Forest Products a company he was chairman of till 2002. His donation to his Alma Mater has resulted in substantial grants in his honour. We are pleased to have been accepted as a recipient for 2009 to place 3000 of our photographs on the Internet. Work is progressing nicely. Click here to go directly to the image search.

Ladysmith Hospital Auxiliary celebrates 100 years of service

May 2009 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Ladysmith Hospital Auxiliary. A group of volunteers who were actually founded a year before the first hospital was built. They worked tirelessly right off the bat raising money, sewing sheets and providing necessary help and financial support for both the patients and the staff. The Archive has many photos of the early days of the hospital, as well as some interesting artifacts. Shown are the founders; Susan Sanderson, Sarah Hulme, Mabel Pollock and Jane Steele.

Member's Pages are being redesigned

As most members recieve meeting and agenda information by email, this section was really redundant. As well we always allowed the public to visit this page. It is therefore being redesigned to represent information, news and topics of particular importance to members. The public will still be free to view the section.

There are a great number of notable private collections in our area. There is one in Extension of mine ore cars. There is an awesome one of tools and car badges right here in Ladysmith. If you want your collection highlighted we would love to hear from you! Doesn't matter if you are in our area. We recently received photos of a small collection of tin plate auto engine demonstration cards. You turn the crank and they actually work. They belong to a Cowichan area resident who was kind enough to share with us.

The community is important to us. We need your donations, not just cash but those things you have up in the attic down in the basement or out in the garage.

We realize that the donation of any cash is important to us. It helps us in the operation of our facilities. But just as important is the donation (or loan) of artifacts, documents and photos. Everyone has something somewhere of value to us. Some of those seemingly trivial items that "grandma and grandpa" left to the family just might be valuable to us too. As a "not for profit" society we also provide tax receipts. Right now we are specifically looking for old movie projectors (and movies) and reel type tape recorders. They don't have to be working, we have folk who can fix them. We have an extensive collection of 8mm movies and reel tapes we need to catalog. But of course, any donation of cash is always welcome too!

Not just a cook book but a record of the people who built, worked and lived in Ladysmith. Get a copy now. We have bundled them together with the award winning book of Ladysmith's Anniversary. $20 gets both. Available from our office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is also for sale at Salamander Books and a number of businesses in town. . Click here for details.

Check our Cemetery Section for a clickable listing of the Ladysmith Cemetery. There are 4 areas, A for Anglican, P for Presbyterian, M for Methodist (includes United) and C for Catholic.

There is a new section on Heritage Buildings. This is an ongoing project to compile some history of buildings past and relate them to today's buildings. We invite comments and submissions of any homes or businesses for this new section.

Check out our section on the Mayors of Ladysmith. We will eventually have a full collection of photographs and history.

Ongoing projects are keeping our volunteers busy. Keep coming back, and tell your friends. Ladysmith and its history is our commitment. But, we need you! Don't loose the history of the town. If you have pictures or artifacts we want to hear from you. You don't have to give them to us, just let us copy or photograph them. Get up to the attic and " mine out " that history!

Memberships and sponsorships are being promoted. Join the Society and become a participant in probably the most exciting project since the Ladysmith Centennial. Corporate sponsorships and donations are eagerly welcomed. Any donations or sponsorship will receive a tax receipt. Volunteers are needed to help with the projects!

Not a member? Come to the meeting or drop by our office and we will sign you up.

You are encouraged to check back here often for more information, and when you do please click the refresh/reload icon (or hit your F5 key) to make sure you have the latest version.