Behind the Scenes at the Provincial Archives: The Women Who Did the Work

Guest Speaker: Dr. Patricia Roy, professor emeritus of History at the University of Victoria

The names of the men who were provincial archivists and librarians – the roles were usually combined – are well known. Yet, even before the Archives were formally established, women such as Alma Russell, a professionally trained librarian, organized the books and documents that became the Provincial Archives. In time, she was joined by Madge Wolfenden, Marjorie Holmes and Muriel Cree. All had long careers in the institution. They also had interesting stories themselves. Wolfenden was the daughter of Royal Engineer; Holmes, like so many other British Columbians of her day came with her family from England. Wolfenden and Holmes were trained librarians; Mrs. Cree, who had a talent for getting publicity for herself, was not.

Through their stories, this illustrated talk will relate the history of the Archives from its conception in the 1890s through the era of the Second World War when Wolfenden served as acting provincial archivist.

Patricia Roy is the author of The Collectors: A History of the Royal British Columbia Museum and Archives. She is professor emeritus of History at the University of Victoria.