Community Heritage Register Survey

The Bulkley Valley Museum, with support from the Town of Smithers, is compiling a Community Heritage Register. The Community Heritage Register is a list of properties that are recognized as having heritage value or character. It is an important educational tool that formally identifies and documents historic places in Smithers.

The goal of this survey is to hear from the community about Smithers heritage and to identify historic places that matter. Everyone is invited to share their suggestions, so the register reflects the many stories, experiences, and histories of Smithers.

To learn more, visit our project webpage, call the BV Museum at 250-847-5322, or email curator@bvmuseum.org.

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* 1. Do any of the following apply to you?

Smithers resident

Identify as Indigenous

Own heritage property

Born & raised in Smithers

Smithers business owner

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* 2. What is your age?

19 years & younger

20-44 years

45-64 years

65–85 years

86 years & older

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* 3. If you created a postcard of Smithers, what image would best portray our Town?

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* 4. Why is Smithers heritage important to you? Select all that apply:

Contributes to community identify & sense of place

Helps to understand & honour our community’s diverse history & heritage

Way to nurture a living history, with the past informing the future

Supports economic development & tourism

Fosters an appreciation of our cultural diversity

Other (please specify)

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* 5. Is officially identifying and recognizing historic places in Smithers through the creation of a Community Heritage Register important to you?

Yes

Not sure

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* 6. If you selected no, what are your concerns?

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* 7. Heritage values are anything that you feel contributes to Smithers identity and collective story - past, present & future. What aspects of Smithers heritage are important to you? Select all that apply:

Visual – Places we can see or touch, such as buildings, architecture, scenery.

Historic or Cultural – Places (natural or built) associated with past events, people, activities, or traditions.

Social – Places that play a role in community life (present time), including current community activities and traditions (i.e., Bovill Square concerts, sports events).

Spiritual – Places associated with a belief system(s), sacred traditions, or ceremonial practices of a community/group of people.

Other (including intangible expressions of heritage, please specify)

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* 8. What do you feel are the defining aspects of Smithers that make it the place it is today? Select all that apply.

Main Street

Mountain views

Residential buildings

Commercial buildings

Witsuwit’en culture

Alpine theme

Natural resources

Sports & recreation

Monuments & statues

Culture & history

Stories about past residents

Natural landscapes

Parks & public spaces

Traditional street grid layout

Public art & murals

Memories

Festivals & events

Other (please specify)

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* 9. In addition to creating a Community Heritage Register, what other ways would you like to see historic places recognized in Smithers? Select all that apply.

Plaques

Signage/wayfinding

Self-guided tours

Interpretive maps

Other (please specify)

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* 10. Is there a specific property or site you would like to nominate for inclusion on the Smithers Heritage Register? If so, please fill out a nomination form available here or call the museum at 250-847-5322.

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* 11. Do you have any other ideas or comments you would like to share?

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* 12. Would you like to review the draft Smithers Heritage Register once it is ready? If so, please leave your email below.

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* 13. Would you like to be entered into a draw to win a local history book? Your contact email will not be associated with this survey.

Yes