We are honoured to be situated in kalpilin (Pender Harbour),
within the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the shíshálh Nation.
within the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the shíshálh Nation.
HARBOUR HISTORYView our Digital Collection
Including photos, documents, and historic information. Latest Additions
James (Sr.) and Margaret (Scotty) Cameron family James Cameron (Sr.) was the eldest son of Dan and Margaret (Peggy) Cameron who arrived in Pender Harbour about 1917. Peggy was a daughter of Robert (Pop) Smith and Annie Campbell who immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1912. They all settled in the Scottish settlement called “Hardscratch” in Whiskey Slough. James started fishing with his grandfather, Pop Smith and was a commercial fisherman for almost 70 years. His wife, Margaret (Scotty) was the second child of Pender Harbour pioneers Margaret and Charles Wray and the granddaughter of Sarah and John Wray. This collection contains photos of these pioneers and many of their descendants.
View the full Cameron family fonds Selected images from the Cameron family fonds are below Self-Guided Heritage Tour
of the Pender Harbour area Take a self-guided heritage tour of historic places throughout the Pender Harbour area, including in Francis Peninsula, Madeira Park, Kleindale, and Garden Bay. Use the map on our website, or go directly to the map in Google maps.
The shíshálh in kalpilin
(Pender Harbour) The shíshálh had been gathering at séxw?áwini (Garden Bay), their winter village, long before Capt. George Vancouver rowed past the harbour in 1792. They lived in longhouses, gathering with thousands from their four main tribes and other tribes, to trade, feast, dance and tell stories. They had coming-of-age rituals, performances by medicine men and month-long potlatches. In the summer they travelled up coast to fish for salmon, to hunt venison and to gather berries to dry for winter. Read more...
How to pronounce traditional names
of the Sunshine Coast
The she shashishalhem language is the traditional language spoken by the shíshálh Nation and is a Coast Salish dialect. Visit shishalh.com to learn how to pronounce various words in the she shashishalhem language, including the new highway signs, and phrases like Welcome - ?imash ?imash, and Good Morning - ?iy te kwiy kwiy. Pender Harbour was home to several Japanese families, including the Ikedas, the Kawasakis, and the Kayaharas. They were fishermen, kayakers, and loggers and were knowledgeable and supportive neighbours. Read more...
Torakichi & Hisano Ikeda family c. 1929
Identify people in historic photos
There are many unidentified people in the collection. If you recognize someone, please click the photo to enlarge it and send us your info by clicking "Send Us Feedback" at the top right of the record. You'll be helping us provide a more accurate record of Pender Harbour history! View unidentified people here 
Duncan Cameron and his brother, Jim Cameron (Sr), receiving their Life Memberships from an unidentified member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 112, in Madeira Park.
DOING RESEARCHWe offer research assistance at no charge. Questions? Contact Us! Search Local HistoryFor historical information about Pender Harbour, contact us to arrange a visit to Sarah Wray Hall or to request information. We have available:
Pender Harbour area Cemetery Listings at Find A Grave.com Forest View Cemetery Warnock Rd. & Francis Peninsula Rd. Kleindale Cemetery God's Little Acre Menacher Rd. & Sunshine Coast Hwy Do you have any Yearbooks or Directories?
Do you have PH Secondary School yearbooks for these graduation years: 1973 to 77, 1978, 1979, 1980, 2005, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20 to 24. If you can donate any of these years, please get in touch! If you have old telephone books, we'd also be interested! |
EVENTSNext Sarah Wray Hall Opening:
April 18, 2025 11 am - 2 pm Drop by for a visit to look at the displays, ask questions about Pender Harbour's history, renew your membership, or just say hi! 4334 Irvines Landing Rd., Garden Bay 
April Tools 2024: The Beaver Island Bandits went down with their ship after the "double garbage can" boatbuilding twist got the best of them! 2025 Dates to Remember
SARAH WRAY HALLSarah Wray Hall
Built in 1931, the former Irvines Landing School was restored by Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society volunteers with the help of many others between 2012-2014 and renamed after local pioneer Sarah Wray. The building is one of B.C.'s last remaining one-room schoolhouses.
Rent Sarah Wray Hall
Sarah Wray Hall in Garden Bay (4334 Irvines Landing Rd.) is available to rent for your events, meetings, or classes.
At $15/hr or $150 for a full day (extra fees may apply), this historic venue is affordable for events of up to 50 people. View rental information 
An intimate wedding in 2023
SUPPORT THE SOCIETYPurchase or renew your membershipHaving a robust membership helps when we apply for grants and also helps with our day-to-day funding. Please show your support! View membership details and form. Etransfer accepted! Shop Our Online Store
Historic maps of Pender Harbour colourized
Find unique, local items in our online store, including historic map reprints of Pender Harbour, heritage-inspired art prints by local artists, antique glass fishing floats, cork floats, books, local fishing company flags posters, postcards, and more! We're Looking for Volunteers!Archives Would you enjoy cataloguing archival material in a user-friendly database system? Events How about planning events at Sarah Wray Hall eg. historical talks, coffee drop-ins, games? Or would you like to help out at April Tools, May Day, or at the Wooden Boat Show? Writing If you enjoy writing and learning about our local history, let us know. Articles are for local publications and online. Become a member of our Board Would you like to become part of our volunteer board? Interested? Send us your details! Local Authors & Women's History
In this award-winning book, Pender Harbour is presented through the eyes of early women settlers. Produced by the Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society, proceeds preserve Pender Harbour's history. Get your copy soon! More information
Get your copy at EarthFair Store. in Madeira Park. While you're there, pick up Ray's Little Green Valley, about the Kleindale area of Pender Harbour. Recycle your bottles at GRIPS
and donate to PHLHS!
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