John Atkin is a civic historian and author who organizes and conduct tours for groups and individuals. John has explored Vancouver like few others have and offers an interesting and offbeat insight to the city's architecture, history and neighbourhoods. He has created, and conducts, a number of unique and popular walking tours throughout the City of Vancouver.

John brings an insight of urban planning and development, a love of architecture, and the fascination of the curious to all his tours.

John's walking tours take approximately 2 hours - depending on the group size and route - and are organized year round. Tours cost 10 dollars per person

Custom tours can also be organized for groups or individuals, contact John for information. Please note for groups smaller than five, there's a 100 dollar minimum charge.

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NEWS:

Chinatown Tunnels: Exploring a Dead End at the Vancouver Historical Society Thursday, February 23, 2012 – 7:30 at the Museum of Vancouver

Everyone’s heard about the tunnels underneath Chinatown. Guidebooks tell us they are there; newspapers, books and movies have confirmed their existence. So where are they? In this presentation John Atkin looks at the origin of the tunnel myth, from early San Francisco tour guide’s stories and “eyewitness” accounts, to the tunnels as a side show attraction and early film. He will look at why the myth persists even today.

More info on the Historical Society here.

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Talking Neon: The Vancouver Heritage Foundation has launched a new evening lecture series.

I’m up on February 21st, at 7pm.

Here’s the blurb:

Join author and civic historian John Atkin at Hycroft for “It’s All About the Light” a talk about neon, lighting, and the city. Timed to coincide with the MOV’s Neon Vancouver | Ugly Vancouver exhibition, Atkin sheds light on the invention and science of neon and Vancouver’s extraordinary love affair with this light source. From its peak in the 1950s, Atkin traces the reasons and implications of neon’s decline across North America and looks at the recent renaissance of lighting in urban design.


Here’s more information and the registration link.

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The Changing City is out and in bookstores. You can check the website for a sneak preview and links to the blog which keeps you up to date with recent developments. Also check out our other blogs on the site.

Interested in Walking Tours in London? The itinerary for our 2011 tour gives you some idea of what we get up to.

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Walking Tours for Fall and Winter

Join myself and Andy Coupland for a series of tours based on our book Changing City. As usual, they go rain or shine (even snow) and are $10.00 pp.

The Viaduct Neighbourhood: January 28th 10am
This walk will look at some of the impending changes coming to the area around the stadiums. Meet at the corner of Georgia and Hamilton on the Queen Elizabeth Plaza.

Maple Tree Square to Waterfront Station: February 4th 10am
Not your usual walk in Gastown. We'll be looking at the extrordinary changes in this historic neighbourhood. Meet at Gassy Jack at Carrall and Water.

Waterfront Station to Coal Harbour: February 25th 10am
From the old to the rally new, we're looking at the developments that have transformed the western waterfront edge. Meet at the war memorial at the eastern end of the Waterfront Station.

From Alexander Street to Main Street: March 10th 10am
Heading east and south we're looking at some remarkable changes in this area and discussing a few of the projects that are on their way. Meet in front of the Europe Hotel at Powell and Alexander.

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Cemetery Walks
sponsored by Mountain View Cemetery

The cemetery is offering its regular walking tours again in 2011. All tours are $10.00 pp (cash only) with no reservations necessary.

New dates and tours to be announced shortly! For more info and details on the tours check out vancouver.ca/cemetery


How to Research Your House is a great workshop at the Archives that I have the pleasure to conduct along with Archives staff the next one will be presented in early 2012. Presented by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation. Check out their site.

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Check out the Heritage Foundation's Places That Matter project: 125 commemorative plaques for the 125th birthday of the city. And the public was invited to vote for their favorites here. Plaques are now being installed.

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Exploring a Dead End: the Chinatown Tunnel Myth 
A lecture for the Vancouver Historical Society February 23, 2012

I'll be presenting a talk exploring the origin of the tunnel myth in Vancouver and around North America and examine why it is just that, a myth. Check the VHS web site for more info.

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UBC Continuing Studies Course: The next course starts March 24, 2012.
The course is called "Four Stops Along the Interurban" The construction of the Interurban railway in 1891played a key role in the development of Vancouver and the region. Along its route through Vancouver, real estate agents quickly set up shop to sell lots, houses and small farms to eager buyers. In this course well take a look at how the area around four of the original stations on the route to New Westminster have developed over time.

Check the Continuing Education site for more information on upcoming courses.

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Here's Something a Little Different

Hycroft, Shaughnessy and a Light Lunch (and Dinner!)

Hycroft in the early days

Look for 2012 dates soon.


The tour includes a walk in the Shaughnessy neighbourhood
returning for lunch at Hycroft followed by a house tour. Meet at the house at 11:30am

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Tours start at Hycroft, where we meet inside in the main hall.

Cost: 30.00 pp (HST not included)

To book, contact Rosie at Hycroft on 604 731-4661
uwcv@uwcvancouver.ca

Payment can be made over the phone with Visa or Mastercard or you can pay by debit or cash on the day of the tour.

Hycroft
1489 McRae Ave
Vancouver, British Columbia

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