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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)

The Museum is located within a designated Heritage Conservation Area in the village of Fort Langley, Township of Langley. Community collecting began in the 1920's with a Native Sons of BC exhibit located in the last remaining Hudson's Bay Company fur trade era structure (circa 1840). A decision by the Canadian Parks Services to actively interpret Fort Langley prompted the provincial and municipal governments to cooperate in the construction of a new museum adjacent to the National Historic Site.

The Township-owned museum opened July 1, 1958 and housed a majority of the Native Sons collection. It was operated by volunteers until 1974 when it was selected by the Federal government as a site for one of 22 National Exhibition Centres across Canada. The physical plant doubled in size, its mandate was extended to include art, history and science traveling exhibitions and the first staff person was hired. Federal NEC operating funding was eliminated in 1994 but the museum has continued to respond to that expanded mandate. In 1991, the Museum became the core facility of the Community and Heritage Services Department, Planning, Development and Stewardship Division, Township of Langley.
Term Source: BCAUL

L. J. Wallace was the General Chairman of the British Columbia Centennial Committee for the 1958 B.C. Centennial Celebrations.