Viewing Object

During the 1958 B.C. Centennial "Changes of the guard" ceremonies were held in Fort Langley May 21 - 28, where a group of British Royal Engineers in replica 1858 costumes symbolically passed on their duties to the Royal Canadian Engineers under the command of Captain B. Breiville.

In 1958, the province of British Columbia celebrated its Centennial. 1858 was the year Governor James Douglas declared the mainland of British Columbia a British colony. This declaration was made at Fort Langley. Langley was therefore at the centre of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 1958. The Fort Langley National Historic Site was reconstructed by the federal government and officially opened in July by Princess Margaret. The Langley Centennial Museum was opened across the street and people in Langley participated in a wide range of commemorative events ranging from beard growing contests to pageants.
Term Source: Sears List of Subject Headings (16th. Ed.)

Alexander Campbell Hope was born on August 4, 1894, to Charles Edward and Lily Dawson Hope, nee Mavis. He served with the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. He married Mabel Isabel Andrews on April 29, 1922. He served on the Langley school board from 1930-1932 and was a municipal councilor for Ward Four for another three years. He became reeve of Langley in 1936 and served for 11 years. Hope went on to serve in the Coalition government from 1945-1952 and was also a member of the agricultural advisory board. He was one of the founding fathers of the B.C. Artificial Insemination Center for dairy cattle, and was involved with several agricultural organizations, including the B.C. Certified Seed Potato Growers' Association, where he served as chairman for a number of years, the B.C. Federation of Agriculture, the Salmon River Dyking Commission, and the Langley Farmer's Institute.

In addition to his commitments to farming and agriculture, Hope was also president of the Fort Langley Community Improvement Society, served two terms as president of Fort Langley Restoration Society, was a member of The Native Sons of B.C., and was chairman of the Langley Centennial Celebration Committee from 1964-1967. He was actively involved at St. George's Parish Church, serving in all offices, and supported the Conservative Party, participating in party affairs within Langley and the lower mainland. At the same time he managed and operated a large farm raising dairy cattle and sheep, with the help of his family. He also grew acres of vegetables and hay and owned a large holly orchard. Alexander Campbell Hope died on August 25, 1978.
Term Source: HPC Record (HOPEC-3/284); HPC Record (HPC-365/1134)

On July 1, 1958, the Langley Centennial Museum was officially opened by Mr. C. J. Wallace, chairman of the BC Centennial Committee. During the ceremonies, old and new guards of the Royal Engineers flanked the entrance, joined by ladies in pioneer costumes. Members of the Fraser Brigade also made up close to 1000 people in attendance. Two plaques were unveiled, one commemorating the museum as a centennial project and a second in memory of the first Christian missionaries in the area. Two totem poles were presented by the Native Sons McMillan Post No. 9. Dick Corliss who played the role of Simon Fraser in a re-enactment, presented the museum with a box of polished stone from Yale. The Douglas District Women's Institute presented 21 historic figurines.

During the 1958 B.C. Centennial "Changes of the guard" ceremonies were held in Fort Langley May 21 - 28, where a group of British Royal Engineers in replica 1858 costumes symbolically passed on their duties to the Royal Canadian Engineers under the command of Captain B. Breiville. The Canadian Engineers were a group of non-commissioned officers and sappers of the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineers from Camp Chilliwack of Vedder Crossing. TThe corp also performed at the Fort Langley National Historic Site for Princess Margaret's official visit.