Editorially speaking...
In response to last week’s mention of retired Victoria street cars and legendary radio DJ Red Robinson, this letter from Chronicles reader Brian Holt:
Re: the latest editorial. I am curious as to whether any of Victoria’s streetcars are still alive and well or did they all end up in the trash bin? I was told by my Dad that the old Jolly Friar that served a minimal menu of delicious burgers, fries, etc was also a converted streetcar.
My condolences to Red Robinson’s family. I never met the man but he was an icon in the lower parts of BC. No pun intended, but he seemed to be one of those rare humans that would live forever on Mother Earth. God bless Red Robinson.
My reply:
Hi, Brian: You're right, the Jolly Friar diner!
And you've also reminded me that there is at least one survivor--it has been displayed at the RBC Museum and has to be in storage or on display somewhere.
Ted Robinson was our own Dick Clark!
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Bill Irvine sent a link to a Youtube video on Vancouver street cars but, alas, it’s unlisted and can only be viewed by a select group. Sorry, folks!
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The recent closure of Point Ellice House Museum in Victoria for want of adequate funding has drawn this response from the British Columbia Historical Federation.
—Point Ellice House seen in a painting by Edward Goodall. (Image msc130-12698_-1 courtesy of the British Columbia Postcards Collection, a digital initiative of Simon Fraser Digital Library.
The Directors of the BC Historical Federation are sad to hear that Point Ellice House in Victoria is closing. Our hearts go out to the staff and volunteers of the Vancouver Island Local History Society, a member of the BCHF. We know they have worked hard through difficult times to find new ways to share stories that challenge and inspire us.
Our members are wearing down. Museums, archives, and cultural institutions across British Columbia continue to be affected by financial and capacity shortfalls stemming from the pandemic and chronic underfunding in the sector. In addition, high costs are stretching budgets precariously thin for many of our member organizations.
We urge governments at all levels – local, provincial, and federal – to support organizations operating cultural and historical institutions to provide sustainable funding for all aspects of operations, from staff wages, to repair and maintenance costs, to supplies for school programming.
The BCHF will continue its advocacy to support the work of our members. Generous support of the dedicated people who continue to collaborate, research, and share the stories of this place is essential to the well-being of communities.