Some 1600 historical images have been added to the Township’s digital archives and are now available for online viewing. The project is a continuation of the Capturing our History project begun in 2014 to increase online access to Esquimalt historical images while also preserving them digitally. The added images focus on several themes, including travel, transportation and family life.
As in 2014, the project was partially funded by a grant from the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at the University of British Columbia, in the amount of $6500.
“The depth of historical information now available through our online archives has increased dramatically,” said Municipal Archivist Greg Evans. “The material we have added comprises a combination of photographs and textual information, such as letters, maps, post cards, certificates, and related material.”
A total of 3600 historical images are now available for viewing by the public, researchers, teachers, Council and Township staff members. The images can be accessed 24/7 and span more than 120 years of Esquimalt’s history.
Digitization consultant Emma Hughes scanned the original material—much of it in a fragile state—and created a database of information for all of the images. The images and database were then input into a specialized archives software program. The final step was to upload the data to the web and link to the Township’s website.
Visit www.esquimalt.ca/archives to access the Township’s online collections and learn more about our captivating history!
The Esquimalt Municipal Archive’s mandate is to collect, preserve, describe, arrange, interpret, enhance and make available to the public archival material pertaining to Esquimalt from the earliest time to the present.
The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre is a facility dedicated to the intellectual, social, cultural, and economic development of the people of British Columbia. It provides publicly accessible educational resources, open spaces for research and innovation, and works with community partners on initiatives to promote lifelong learning across the province.
