Marilyn Jones | Emily Carr Chronicler

The relationship between Emily Carr and the BC Archives actually predates the building on Belleville Street by many decades. The provincial archives traces its origins to 1894, when librarian R.E. Gosnell began actively collecting records documenting British Columbia’s early history. The Provincial Archives was formally established in 1908 and opened to the public in 1920. By 1970, its collections had outgrown the Provincial Library, and the Archives moved into its purpose-built facility…

In the first session of my ten-part series on Emily Carr at Cook Street Activity Centre on October 8, I asked participants to name their favourite Carr painting. Each had a different choice—proof of Carr’s broad and lasting appeal. I shared mine: Happiness (1938–1939). A week later, I received an email from a participant: “Where can I see Emily Carr’s Happiness painting?” That simple question sent me on a fascinating journey—discovering not only…

The BC Archives, housed within the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, is the province’s primary repository for records that document the political, social, economic, and cultural history of British Columbia. It holds a vast and diverse range of materials—everything from government files and family papers to maps, films, audio recordings, and works of art. For anyone interested in the life and legacy of Emily Carr, the BC Archives is not only a valuable…