Through the sharing of oral histories and traditional skills, our goal is to reawaken our community heritage. During a year of public programs with the Living History Project, young and old joined forces in workshops, events and the gathering of stories from some of the Lake Trail area’s most vital characters.
Their compelling stories give bright glimpses into an age of farming and industry, when a “sea of stumps stretched all the way to Powerhouse Road”, and horses were more common than motor cars.
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To preserve these narratives, Grade 10 History students took to the reins – as community journalists! In workshops directed by Dan Vie with videographer Sarah Kerr, the Lake Trail students were coached in how to conduct interviews in the intimacy of people’s homes. And in our ongoing all-ages workshops – from knitting to multicultural cooking and family ancestry – seniors were encouraged to jump in as mentors and bridge the generations.
Inside this site – produced by Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections with funds from New Horizons for Seniors – you’ll find photos, interviews, transcripts and resources to explore. Each interview is presented in two ways: as a short video, or a full two-hour transcript to read. In these fascinating stories, the spirit, good humour and vitality of the elders shines through. Their diversity of voices, capturing the life’s memories of Comox Valley pioneers, honours us with a “living history” direct from the source.
You can add your own memories to the archive on our Share Your Story page.