West Vancouver Archives

REFERENCE HOURS
The Archives will be temporarily closed to the public from April 1 to June 6, 2008 in order to complete West Vancouver Archives Online - a new component of our website which will allow researchers to search for records and photographs online.

We will reopen on June 11, 2008 for our regular public hours (Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm).

Thank you for your patience. We look forward to providing improved public reference services through our new website.

ABOUT THE ARCHIVES
The West Vancouver Archives houses a wide variety of materials that tell the stories of West Vancouver. In doing so, the Archives fulfills two separate functions.

Public Records: As part of the Legislative Services division of the District, the Archives works within the Corporate Records Management program to preserve and provide access to the records of the Municipal Government. Public records are preserved in order to meet the District’s legal and administrative requirements, and to provide access to historical documentation of the relationship of the District to the community and environment, and many issues of civic importance.

Private Records: The Archives also acquires private records – including historical photographs, diaries, newspapers, maps and plans, manuscripts, and correspondence – which document the lives and experiences of residents, businesses, and community organizations in West Vancouver's past.

MANDATE
The West Vancouver Archives is the official repository for civic and private records of significant and enduring value that contribute to an understanding of the history and development of the District of West Vancouver. By preserving these records and ensuring access, the Archives documents the activities of Council, the Corporation, committees, community organizations, businesses, families and individuals, and promotes an awareness and appreciation of our heritage.

SERVICES
The Archives provides source material for researching a wide range of topics such as: heritage sites, architecture, social history, civic and business development, government history, and genealogy. Original historical material is located by looking through our finding aids, and may be reviewed at the Archives.

We provide photocopies of archival material, as well as high quality reproductions of photographs and other documents on a fee for service basis. Images cover a variety of areas of local interest. Where the Archives holds copyright on a photograph, permission may also be obtained to reproduce it in a publication.

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