Barry Gough doesnB次元官网网址檛 just write about history, heB次元官网网址檚 one of the biggest advocates of community groups working to preserve their communitiesB次元官网网址� heritage.
The B.C. Historical Federation likely had that in mind when directors of the provincial umbrella organization named the Victoria-area resident their honourary president, at last monthB次元官网网址檚 AGM in Revelstoke.
While acknowledging the title puts him in company with some B次元官网网址済iants in the fieldB次元官网网址� who have held the post in the past, Gough admitted the honourary position is primarily B次元官网网址渢itular and ambassadorial.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淗e or she becomes a sort of spokesman and advocate for B.C. history,B次元官网网址� he said in explaining the role. B次元官网网址淚t would be likened to become a historian laureate.B次元官网网址�
A former president of the BCHF, he took the opportunity of a chat with Black Press to extol the virtues of this non-profit advocacy group, which began life as the B.C. Historical Association back in 1922.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a fabulous thing; itB次元官网网址檚 not as well known as it should be, but my job as ambassador is to get the word out,B次元官网网址� Gough said. B次元官网网址淭he great thing about it is it links all these communities around the province.B次元官网网址�
Member societies represent jurisdictions from valley towns on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, to rural farming and ranching towns through the heart of the province, to those in B.C. coastal communities, large and small, he added. B次元官网网址淭hey are a collection of groups that involve people who are drawn together in the wide web of history.B次元官网网址�
The Federation now numbers 99 member societies, with roughly 25,000 members throughout B.C. It works to promote and recognize the historical preservation work being done through local museums, archives, collections and special projects, and honours those who write about history or create visual stories focusing on the past.
The BCHFB次元官网网址檚 focus in the coming year, Gough said, will be on the upcoming 150th anniversary of Confederation. B次元官网网址淭he federation is concentrating on the theme, B次元官网网址楤ritish Columbia in Canada 150,B次元官网网址� and getting all the communities talking about B.C.B次元官网网址檚 relationship to the rest of Canada.B次元官网网址�
He noted that the sesquicentennial coincides with the 100th anniversary of the battle at Vimy Ridge, considered by many to be this countryB次元官网网址檚 greatest military victory and a symbol of the birth of our national pride and awareness. B次元官网网址淭hat was iconic. We have a concept of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 status in the world as a result of that.B次元官网网址�
Gough, 77, is a working historian specializing in maritime and naval history. He has authored numerous publications on the topics, including many relating to the west coast of B.C.
Winner of various academic and literary honours in North America and Britain for his work and publications, as well as QueenB次元官网网址檚 Golden and Diamond Jubilee awards, he is currently president of the Vic High Alumni Association and celebrates his 60th grad reunion this month in Victoria. He is also an accomplished jazz clarinetist.
To find more information about the B.C. Historical Federation and its activities, check them out online at . Or to look into the history of your own community, contact your local municipal hall and ask about their archives.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
