Lillian's Vancouver - The Chung Collection Tour

Wednesday, September 22 from 10 – 11am
Saturday, October 2 from 2 – 3pm
Lillian’s Vancouver: The Chung Collection Tour
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, UBC
1961 Main Mall
Free admission – reservations are required

See a vivid picture of Vancouver as it would have looked to Lillian Alling. Explore the reality of immigrants, especially Chinese, as they arrived and worked here in the early part of the 20th century, with a special guided tour of The Chung Collection by UBC Library Archivist Sarah Romkey.

When Wally Chung was just six years old he spent many hours in his father’s Victoria tailor shop. One thing that fascinated him was a colourful poster of the Empress of Asia, the CP ship that brought his mother to Canada in 1919. It fired the young boy’s imagination and inspired him to start collecting: documents, books, maps, posters, paintings, photographs, silver, ceramic ware and other artifacts related to early B.C. history, immigration and settlement, and the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Dr. Chung spent more than 60 years assembling one of the most extensive collections of its kind in North America. The Chung Collection, a noted national treasure, contains over 25,000 items, with selections on display in Rare Books and Special Collections at the UBC Library, organized to show some of the most compelling stories of Canada’s past.

These wonderful artifacts transport the viewer to early 20th century British Columbia providing a deep resonance for all immigrants to Canada and, in particular, this province.

The Chung Collection is the generous gift of Dr. Wallace Chung and Dr. Madeline Chung, longtime patrons of Vancouver Opera.

Click to register by email
* please specify your preferred tour date:
Wednesday, September 22 from 10 – 11am
Saturday, October 2 from 2 – 3pm

Visitors will be required to leave their coats and bags in the secure lockers at the entrance to UBC Library Rare Books and Special Collections.

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