April 20, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Gardens
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Hey guys! Cherry blossom season is upon us and it’s time to get out of the house and enjoy the coming of spring! There are TONS of trees springing to life all throughout the city right now and it’s quite a sight to see!
For my video I visited Steveston, #1 Road, and the Minoru area, though at this point it’s hard to go anywhere in the city without seeing them!
Viewing and enjoying the beauty of these flowers heralds back 1000 years to an old Japanese custom called ‘hamani’. (Translated: ‘flower viewing’) This tradition has been adopted in Richmond (and Vancouver!) and is looked forward to every year!
In fact, some people take it very seriously. My Mother who is an avid gardener did some research online and found out there are actually people called ‘cherry scouts’ (haha) in Vancouver that comprise massive lists of all the trees in the city and surrounding area. There are 42 varieties of cherry blossoms worldwide and between Vancouver and Richmond, we have 18 of them! Nice! I’ve managed to pick out all of the Richmond trees they found and have listed them below, along with their variety. If you want to view some of our flowers, these are the best places to start:
1. Yaohan Centre – ‘Accolate Cultivar’ (March 22nd- April 10th; Early bloom)
2. Wood Bridge in Minoru Park – ‘Accolate Cultivar’ (March 22nd- April 10th; Early bloom)
3. Intersection of Gilbert & Granville – (March 22nd- April 10th; Early bloom)
4. Blundell near Gas Station – (March 22nd- April 10th; Early bloom)
5. Minoru Blvd & The Bay (West Gate) – ‘Somei-Yoshino’ (March 30th-April 14th)
6. South of Minoru Aquatic Centre – ‘Akebono’ (March 29th-April 7th)
7. 7500 Granville Street – ‘Akebono’ (March 29th-April 7th)
8. Richmond Caring Centre – ‘Akebono’ (March 29th-April 7th)
9. Granville Park (Livingston Place) – ‘Accolate Cultivar’ (March 22nd- April 10th; Early bloom)
10. Livingston Place – ‘Spire’ (April 1st-15th)
11. Garry Point Park (LOTS)– ‘Accolate Cultivar’ (March 22nd- April 10th; Early bloom)
12. Minoru Blvd Across From Richmond Centre – ‘Shirotae’ (April 4th- May 14th; Late bloom)
13. Dorchester Circle (729 Moffat Road) – ‘Shirotae’ (April 4th- May 14th; Late bloom)
14. #1 Road, Westminster Hwy to River Road (30 Trees) – ‘Akebono’ (March 29th-April 7th)
15. Dyke Park – ‘Akebono’ (March 29th-April 7th)
16. Grant McConachie Way to YVR (airport) – ‘Akebono’ (March 29th-April 7th)
Enjoy them while they last!! Spring is here!
-VideoChris
April 08, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Museums
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Hey everyone! How many times have you walked by the Steveston Museum in your life? If you’re like me, I lost count around the 100,000 mark. I went inside today for the first time and was pleasantly surprised! I know, I’m horrible. I’ve lived in Richmond, nay, STEVESTON, my whole life and I’ve never even visited it. Well, that day has come and I’m happy I did. As you know Steveston has got a pretty long and interesting history, and that little building has been around to see most of it!
What the heck is this building and why is it important? Well, first off you need to know that the Steveston Museum is over a hundred years old (built 1905!), and has three distinct chapters to its history. It initially started off as the first bank in all of Steveston, called the Northern Bank. It was later renamed the Crown Bank, and then finally in 1918 became the Steveston branch of the Royal Bank of Canada. (Which at present day has moved directly across the street!)
During the second stage of its life it acted as a day clinic, office, and home for Dr. James M. Campbell who began his practice in the Brighouse area of Richmond in 1958. It was the only medical facility in all of Steveston at this time! He renovated the building, but kept the original bank manager’s office and vault intact. In 1977, he sold the building to the city of Richmond to be preserved as a heritage structure.
The third and current chapter of this building’s history is as a museum and working post office. The City of Richmond bought the building with funds provided by the Neighbourhood Improvement Program and The Steveston Historical Society oversaw its restorations. The museum and post office officially opened in 1979 and became a city designated heritage site in 1989!
It’s a neat little building with several period-decorated rooms, complemented by trinkets and curious items meticulously placed all throughout. You can still see the massive old bank vault doors, and there is information and old photos on Steveston’s history all over the building. It is small and quaint, just like the rest of Steveston; the entire thing wouldn’t take more then fifteen to twenty minutes to check out. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by it!
Next time you’re in Steveston, take a quick stroll inside! It’s free to check out (though they do take donations!) and full of old relics from the past! I was happy I did!
- VideoChris