A black and white photograph of a caged kermode bear with many trees in the enclosure and background. Image courtesy of the BC Archives: J-00051

Would you believe that this photograph was actually taken in Beacon Hill Park?
Once upon a time (or in 1940 when this photo was taken), there was more than just a petting zoo with birds and goats in the park. In fact, it once housed bears, moose, deer, and even wolves! 🐻 #yyj #bchistory

Image I-03409, courtesy of the BC Archives

Lunar New Year is less than a week away! 🌙 Join Discover the Past this Saturday for a walking tour of Victoria's Chinatown to learn all about Chinese history and culture in British Columbia 🐴
Sign up here: discoverthepast.com

#BCHistory #yyj

A black and white photograph of a man and woman skating. A red banner reads "Christmas in Old Victoria" in white text above them. Image H-06231 courtesy of the BC Archives

It's once again time for our "Christmas in Old Victoria" tours! 🎅🎁🌲Enjoy warm-hearted stories of how Christmas was celebrated in #yyj during the Victorian era. Book your tickets here: discoverthepast.com

A black and white photograph of a man and woman skating. A red banner reads "Christmas in Old Victoria" in white text above them. Image H-06231 courtesy of the BC Archives

It's once again time for our "Christmas in Old Victoria" tours! 🎅🎁🌲Enjoy warm-hearted stories of how Christmas was celebrated in #yyj during the Victorian era. Book your tickets here: discoverthepast.com

October 30: Join us @ 5PM, 6PM, and 7PM for a special screening of Bon Victoriage Episode 7, "Those Who Never Leave," our Halloween episode with John Adams, at the amazing Ministry of Casual Living gallery... and check out the corvid exhibit, while you're at it!

Poster: Ministry of Casual Living.

A large tombstone with a stone angel with wings spread mounted on top of the stone. A cemetery with other stones and trees is visible in the background. The top of the photograph is dominated by a bright blue sky.

🪦 THIS SUNDAY 🪦
Join the Old Cemetery Society for the Annual Ghost Tour at Ross Bay Cemetery. Tours start at 2PM but guests are advised to arrive early. Cost: $5. No resos needed.
Meet inside the cemetery across the street from Ross Bay Villa (near the corner of Arnold Ave and Fairfield Rd)
#yyj

Our October #GhostlyWalks are in full swing, and we are having the time of our lives !👻 Join us any day of the week this month to hear chilling stories of #yyj 's past!

A black and white photo of 3 sisters in white dresses. 19th century.

On September 20th and 25th, we have our next Queer Culture Walks! Join us for an evening where we celebrate the vibrant queer characters of Victoria’s past and their connection to the present! Pictured here are the Dunsmuir sisters, including Elinor. You can sign up through the link in our bio!

TONIGHT! 🏳️‍🌈 Join us for our #yyj Queer Culture Walk!

A black and white photograph of 19th century Fort Street on Victoria,BC. People are standing on a wooden sidewalk watching cyclists peddle by.

The more things change, the more things stay the same 🚴‍♀️ This photograph of cyclists peddling up Fort Street was taken by Garret Smith some time in the 1890's. Note the voluminous dresses, wooden sidewalk, and streetcar tracks! Image courtesy of the BC Archives: H-02523 #yyj

Discover the Past Walking Tours | Ghostly Walks & History Tours in Victoria Best known for our spine-tingling Ghostly Walks, we also offer a full suite of interesting History Tours that run day and night, all year round.

Sign up through our website: discoverthepast.com

Tomorrow evening is our next #QueerCultureWalk! We have been having a lot of fun with these and hope you'll bring a friend and come on out! #yyj

Discover the Past Walking Tours | Ghostly Walks & History Tours in Victoria Best known for our spine-tingling Ghostly Walks, we also offer a full suite of interesting History Tours that run day and night, all year round.

Learn more about this loving couple on our Queer Culture Walks! The next one is tomorrow night and there is still space! Book here: discoverthepast.com

Eleanor Parker and Murney Pugh first met while working at a military hospital in England, and they quickly fell in love. They served together during the Second World War and eventually retired to #yyj in their later years, listing themselves as partners in government censuses. #BCHist

The "Hanging Judge" himself, Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie. Lawyer, judge, and resident ghost of the old courthouse building in Bastion Square #yyj. Do you know his story?

Images courtesy of the BC Archives: A-08953 and B-04077

Tomorrow!!

This weekend is our first tour! Sign up through the link!!! #yyj

A person dressed in drag as a mounted police officer on a puppet horse leads a parade. A bright yellow sign behind them reads: "Come out Come out Wherever you are"

#Didyouknow that Victoria's first pride parade was held in 1989? This photograph shows Judy Bell leading the march, dressed in drag as a mounted police officer. To learn more about Victoria's #queerhistory , sign up for one of our Queer Culture Walks!
discoverthepast.com

Discover the Past Walking Tours | Ghostly Walks & History Tours in Victoria Best known for our spine-tingling Ghostly Walks, we also offer a full suite of interesting History Tours that run day and night, all year round.

Book your spot on our next tour: discoverthepast.com

Join us for a Queer Culture Walk, where we will delve into the colourful #queerhistory that makes up the fabric of #yyj. Learn about Victoria’s first pride parade, an openly gay town crier in the 1860s, and how the fight for love and acceptance leaves a lasting mark today! 🏳️‍🌈

A black and white photograph of a woman and her bicycle overlooking the ocean.

What gorgeous summer days we have been having in #yyj ☀️ This summery photograph of a lady and her bicycle was taken in 1947 on Dallas Road. Image D-02840 courtesy of the BC Archives.

A photo of the alter inside the Tam Kung temple

A photo from inside the Tam Kung Temple showing the oculus in the ceiling

Fringed red banisters over a table of candles and offerings inside the Tam Kung Temple

Help support one of #yyj 's local heritage sites! The Tam Kung Temple is taking part in the National Trust's Next Great Save. Cast your vote for the temple here: nationaltrustcanada.ca/what-you-can...

#BCHistory #VictoriaBC #NextGreatSave

Our guides know #yyj like the back of their hand! Join us for a tour to explore parts of the city you've always been curious about

#travelbc #travelcanada #🇨🇦

Image courtesy of the BC Archives: G-03361

A moment captured in time: laying streetcar tracks in #yyj. Do you recognize this street?

Image of Mary and Kathleen O'Reilly courtesy of Point Ellice House - PEH975.1.7967

Image of Kathleen O'Reilly courtesy of the BC Archives C-03900

It would be a shame if we didn't mention the O'Reilly's on our Shamrock Shadows #GhostlyWalk! Pictured here is Kathleen O'Reilly, the eldest daughter of an Irish immigrant who loved her home at Point Ellice House so much that she has been seen guiding visitors through the halls years after her death

We will discuss Irish beliefs about the paranormal, folkloric creatures, and historic stories that connect Victoria with Ireland. Don't miss this chance to celebrate Victoria's Irish roots, Ghostly Walks style! Only two dates available: March 16th and 17th, 7pm start time.

Join us on this new Ghostly Walk as we go in search of Victoria's ghostly Irish connections!🍀 Gold Rush Victoria was home to many folk from the Emerald Isle, and some of them are still getting up to spirited shenanigans worthy of a special Ghostly Walks route.

Spring is beginning to show its face all around #yyj 🌸 Join one of our history tours to learn the significance of the beautiful cherry trees that turn the city pink this time of year!

Discover the Past is a family-owned, Canadian business that hires knowledgeable guides to show off the striking history of Victoria and British Columbia 🇨🇦 Join one of our tours to get the inside scoop on Victoria's multicultural history!

A black and white photograph of a q9th century Chinese family. Five children are present, with the youngest resting in their grandmother's arms at the center of the picture. The father and mother stand on either side of this group photograph. Image courtesy of the BC Archives

A black and white photograph of three siblings in 19th century dress. A young woman sits on the right, a young man sits in the middle, and a boy stands on the right.

Happy #FamilyDay! 📸 With the invention of photography in the mid-19th century, family portraits became more common as photographic processes became cheaper. Pictured here are two family portraits: the O'Reilly siblings and Lee Mong Kow and his family.