Nanaimo Historical Society Public Presentation

add to outlook add to google calendar remind me

Thursday, October 13th, 2016
7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Mark Bate, elected as Nanaimo’s first mayor in 1875, was a renaissance man. He loved music, writing, literature, the outdoors and community affairs, while also keeping a watchful eye on the politics of the day. Bate served as mayor for 16 terms – most by acclamation. He retired three times, returning after being persuaded to serve again.

In her upcoming book, Jan Peterson tells Mark Bate’s life story by way of his personal letters, business correspondence while manager of the Vancouver Coal Mining and Land Company, and his many speeches delivered to local audiences throughout the years. The Bate family history is woven into throughout the tapestry of early Nanaimo. From his arrival on 1857 until his death in 1927 he never lost interest in the city. He witnessed and documented the progress of the mining settlement into a town and an incorporated municipality, then its evolution into a city. Peterson’s earlier book trilogy about Nanaimo (Black Diamond City, Hub City, and Harbour City) explored its triumphs and its challenges and the people who helped shape it. She now takes a close look ath the man who led it through its fledgling years and transforming the geographic configuration that led to the dynamic city of today.

On October 13, Jan will be the guest speaker of the Nanaimo Historical Society and will discuss the process about how researched the life of Mark Bate, and some of the surprising discoveries she found along the way. The publisher, Heritage House, will release her book on the subject next spring. About our speaker: A long-time member of the Nanaimo Historical Society, Jan Peterson has been researching and writing about the history of Nanaimo since she retired here in 1996. In addition to the above-mentioned Nanaimo book trilogy, another book, Kilts on the Coast, relates the story about the Scots who came to Vancouver Island to work for the HBC in Nanaimo and Victoria. Jan also generously donated another book, A Place in Time: Nanaimo Chronicles, to the Nanaimo Museum Endowment Fund. Formerly from Port Alberni, Jan also wrote a series of books on Alberni and Port Alberni. To date, she has written twelve volumes on the history of Vancouver Island. ###

The Nanaimo Historical Society is a non-profit organization. Founded in 1953, the Society’s mission is to preserve, promote, and celebrate the history of Nanaimo and central Vancouver Island. Annual membership is $24 for an individual, $30 for a family, and $34 for an organization. Membership includes a subscription to British Columbia History magazine.

https://www.facebook.com/Nanaimo-Historical-Society-466384560135141/