User:Heritagelady/Sandbox

The Hallmark Society is the oldest heritage preservation society in the Capital Regional District - Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It was formed on April 19, 1973 in response to the wanton destruction of heritage buildings at that time. The demolition of the Wilson House, known locally as the Parrot House, was the defining moment in the decision to form a society.

The Hallmark Society advocates for the preservation, conservation, and restoration of heritage assets and works towards a greater public awareness and understanding of heritage. It is a registered non-profit society, financed principally by membership dues and members' contributions, and is affiliated with regional, provincial, national and international heritage preservation organizations.

The society holds regular meetings and trips to historic sites. It also publishes an award-winning newsletter called Preserve. The two major events of the heritage year are the annual Awards Night - held annually since 1974 that honours and recognizes excellence in heritage conservation, restoration, and advocacy. At this ceremony, held at St Ann's Academy National Historic Site, there is a slide show on each award winner, followed by the presentation of a framed certificate. Local municipalities also present their designation plaques to property owners who have received official heritage designation throughout the previous year. The evening concludes with wine and refreshments.

For the past several years, the society has sponsored the South Vancouver Island Regional Heritage Fair. This event brings together school children from grades 4 - 10 in a celebration of heritage. The Heritage Fairs are an exciting celebration of Canada’s heritage seen through the eyes of student history projects. Some schools hold school-based fairs then choose projects to represent them at the regional fair. The Heritage Fair program brings history and heritage to the classroom and provides an opportunity for the whole school to be involved in an educational and exciting event. By participating, teachers can bring out the best in their students. When students create a Heritage Fair project, they are not just telling us what happened in the past, they are explaining why and when it happened and why it is important to us today. The focus is not just learning history but on understanding it. The positive benefit of cross-curricular activities and the sense of accomplishment students experience will make each Fair positive and unique.

About 200 individuals and groups belong to the society. Meetings are held at the James Bay New Horizons Centre, 234 Menzies Street, Victoria, BC. More information is available on the society website.