South Peace Historical Society

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    • About Dorthea Horton
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  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

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07-025: History is Where You Stand

By Rose Wilson
The Mirror, November 8, 1982
An event of historical importance for Dawson Creek in particular and the whole Peace River area in general took place this past week. I am referring to an agreement signed at City Hall between Mrs. Dorthea Calverley and the City.

It concerns Mrs. Calverley’s archival collection known as “History is Where you Stand.” The terms of the agreement ensure that the collection will remain here housed in the Public Library so that it will be available for those seeking knowledge of our past.

Presently, Mrs. Calverley will continue to work on her collection. “History is Where you Stand” has been a conscientious, continuous undertaking for practically all of Mrs. Calverley’s residency here since arriving in 1937.

A representative from the Provincial archives visited Mrs. Calverley several years ago and at that time stated it was the most comprehensive collection, both in scope and completeness, he had ever examined in British Columbia and that the Provincial Archives would be most pleased to receive it.

The collection has grown since and it has been Mrs. Calverley’s most generous decision that it remain here for the citizens of this area. It is a gift . . . for Mrs. Calverley has received no monetary remuneration for her almost lifetime work . . . nor did she seek any.

She was honored last week at an impressive open-house ceremony at the Public Library. Mayor Cooper conferred on her the title of Freeman of the City of Dawson Creek. It is a historic and honorary title as befits her project, and I believe the only one the City has ever bestowed.

It is almost inconceivable that one woman could have amassed such a wealth of heritage. Included are thirty large volumes entitled “History is Where You Stand” with index cards, over a hundred interview tapes, maps, pictures, slides, documents, reference books, and many of Mrs. Calverley’s own writings.

She has spent hours and hours, travelled miles and miles to compile stories as they were told to her. Her vast knowledge of the area has been sought by university departments and companies when gathering information pertinent to their situations.

 

The City, on behalf of all residents of the area, would like to warmly and humbly thank Mrs. Calverley for her continuous effort to preserve our past and for her decision to ensure that her work remain here for the benefit of all. The past is our heritage. It enriches our present and is a foundation for our future.

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