About VHS Presentations
Presentations will take place on the fourth Thursday of each month (September – May). Entry is free for VHS members and $5 for non-members. Membership forms will be available for those that wish to join the Victoria Historical Society.
September 25, 2025
John Hart: British Columbia’s Almost Forgotten Premier
Patricia Roy
Location: James Bay New Horizons Centre, 7:30pm
Dr. Patricia Roy will speak about her latest book, John Hart: A Businessman in British Columbia Politics, which will be released by UBC Press in November. “A businessman and Liberal, Hart managed British Columbia’s finances during both world wars and the Depression. As premier during much of the Second World War, he led a coalition with the Conservatives that provided business-like governance and established the persistent BC political theme of free enterprise versus socialism.” (from UBC Press)
Dr. Patricia E. Roy is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Victoria and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. She has written several books on British Columbia history, including the biography of an earlier premier, Sir Richard McBride.
October 23, 2025
The Constitution Express
Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams
Location: James Bay New Horizons Centre, 7:30pm
The Constitution Express was an Indigenous protest and action in the 1980’s against the exclusion of Indigenous people from repatriating Canada’s Constitution without recognizing Aboriginal rights. It was the largest successful direct action in Canada’s history, securing section 35, which recognizes Aboriginal title and rights, in the Canadian Constitution. Dr Lorna Wánosts’a7 Williams, Lil’wat, was an active participant on the Constitution Express in both Canada and Europe and will speak about this significant and yet unknown event in Canadian history. Dr Williams was the Director of the University of Victoria’s Indigenous Education Program; is the former Canada Research Chair in Education and Linguistics and is an Officer of the Order of Canada and Order of BC among other things.
Dr. Williams is Professor Emeritus of Indigenous Education, Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Victoria and Canada Research Chair in Education and Linguistics where she initiated and led the development of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Indigenous Language Revitalization, and a Master’s in Counseling in Indigenous Communities. She also initiated, designed, and implemented a mandatory course in Indigenous Education for all teacher education students, leading to the requirement that all teacher education programs in British Columbia include an Indigenous Education course. In 2020 Dr. Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams was appointed to the Order of Canada. She received the honour for her contributions to Indigenous education and her advocacy of Indigenous language revitalization programs.
November 27, 2025
The History of the Bay Street Armory
John Azar
Location: James Bay New Horizons Centre, 7:30pm
Although the Bay Street Armoury (BSA) was opened in 1915, this “Castle on Bay Street” remains a mystery to most people living in Greater Victoria. John Azar will share images and explain the design and construction of the building, its use as a military establishment and the significant role the building has played in the community life of Greater Victoria. He will also explain how VHS members can engage with the two regimental museums for historical and genealogical research on ancestors who may have served at the armoury.
John Azar is an avid amateur military historian and commemoration advocate. As well as being a VHS member, he is a volunteer with the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) Museum and conducts military history tours for the Old Cemeteries Society. He also belongs to several military affairs and military history-related organizations. John was a principal organizer of the Bay Street Armoury 100th anniversary open house in November 2015.
