Anchoring Change, Reviving Tradition 鞏固大樓 振興傳統
We are mutual assistance organization with an objective of helping one another to rehabilitate the society owned heritage buildings in Vancouver's Chinatown. The membership consists of organizations that own heritage buildings and individuals who support the neighbourhood's cultural heritage conservation.
Society heritage buildings are an important part of Chinatown's urban and social fabric. In response to City Council's approval of the Society Buildings Rehabilitation Strategy in 2007, Society leaders formed the Chinatown Society Heritage Buildings Association (CSHBA) in 2008.
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Chinese societies are family associations and benevolent societies established by early immigrants to provide social support and general welfare services to their members. They have been a vital part of the Chinatown community for more than 100 years and remain social hubs for the local Chinese-Canadian community. Today, there are close to 50 societies in and around Chinatown, including 12 society-owned heritage buildings.
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林西河總堂九牧公所
Brief History The significance of the Lim Sai Hor Kow Mock Benevolent Association Building lies in its ownership history and architecture. It was built in 1903 and originally housed the Chinese Empire Reform Association, founded…
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加拿大馬氏宗親會
The Mah Society was informally established in Vancouver in 1919 and purchased its building two years after. Constructed in 1913, the building was designed by Henry Barton Watson. Watson’s design was of particular note for being…
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禺山總公所
Brief History Yue Shan Society occupies a complex formed by three buildings and a courtyard. This was a common urban form in early 20th century Chinatown. The Yue Shan Society complex is the only remaining…
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中華會館
Brief History The Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) of Vancouver was informally established in 1889 and formally registered with the British Columbia government in 1906. In 1909, organized by Chinatown’s leading businessmen, the Association purchased its…
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Brief History The Chin Wing Chun Society Building has value for being representative of buildings erected and occupied by major Tongs during a period of rapid growth in Chinatown, and for being an excellent example…
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During the past 10 years CSHBA has assisted our member organizations in conducting feasibility studies to rehabilitate the century old heritage buildings with financial assistance from the City of Vancouver. CSHBA also conducted a survey on the needs of Chinese Canadian artists and artistic organizations in Vancouver. At present we are working towards a solution to support the Chinese Society Legacy Program with financial assistance from Vancity Credit Union and City of Vancouver.
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The study identifies the different types of organizations, groups and individuals engaged in the arts…
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The program’s priority is to stabilize the 12 society-owned buildings, to activate underused spaces, and…
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