View Royal Archives

The Town of View Royal Archives is a heritage initiative ensuring that information valuable to the community is collected, preserved, and made accessible to the public.

Then & Now

The View Royal Historical Committee recognized their growing collections and commitments would be best sustained through the creation of a community archive. The publication of local history book, Craigflower Country 1850-1950, provided the start-up funds required to establish The View Royal Community Archives in 1998. For more than a decade, operations were overseen by a dedicated group of volunteers with the assistance of professional Archivists when required. In 2010, collections were officially transferred to the Town of View Royal. Today, the Town of View Royal Archives (the Archives) continues to build its legacy through the stewardship of the Town, volunteer support, and contributions from the community.

Services

The Archives houses an on-site reference library that includes books, newspaper clippings, and various resource materials. While items are not available for loan, research access and assistance are available by appointment without charge.

Our digital repository is continually expanding as we add items from our collections. The Archivist is available through email to provide guidance for online research.

Materials

Collections are comprised of records of local community organizations, family histories and other information relating people and activities within the current and historical boundaries of the area. Items include photographs, slides, drawings, maps, plans, ledgers, minute books, receipts, and correspondence.

Visit https://viewroyalarchives.accesstomemory.org/ to virtually explore documents, images and descriptions from our collections*. Material will continue to be digitized and added to the site.

The Archives also curates rotating displays of historical interest in the Town Hall lobby.

Donations

Help us document life in View Royal! Photographs, correspondence, and club activity records are some of the items included in our collection scope. If you have material that would enhance our holdings and help us share our history, please consider donating items to us. Contact the Archives in advance to discuss the process.

Volunteers

Our helpful team of volunteers contribute to the collection, identification, research, and preservation of the pieces donated to the Archives. Interested in helping out or working on a project? We are happy to show you the ropes. Please contact the Archives for more information.

Location & Hours

The Archives is located in the lower level of the Town Hall building and is accessed from the rear parking lot (look for the Archives sign in the doorway).

Free parking in the rear parking lot. The Archives is wheelchair accessible.

The Archives is open on Fridays from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Appointments are available outside Friday hours; please call or email to schedule your visit. Closed statutory holidays.

Visit us at Town Hall or online at https://viewroyalarchives.accesstomemory.org/.

We also welcome email and phone inquiries.

Contact


Institutional member of the Archives Association of British Columbia (AABC).

*Note: The Town of View Royal Archives digital collection may only be used for educational non-commercial purposes including any fair dealing for the purposes of private study or research or use in schools. Please contact the Town of View Royal Archives if you would like to use the digital collection for any other purpose.