The United States of America, the Americans use the terminology “Melting Pot” which means that different cultures immigrate to a location and turn out completely different. They immigrates will no longer have their culture; instead, they will be an American. This process takes out individuality and replaces it with conformity. Canadian Mosaic symbolizes immigration in Canada. Many different sized tiles are placed in one piece of art. Each individual tile represents an immigrant. When an immigrant comes to Canada, they will keep their own culture; therefore, Canada is Multicultural.
Before 1910, this area consists mainly of Scottish and Irish. Next, the Russians, Scandinavians and Jewish came. In 1920, this area is occupied by Slavs, Japanese and Italians. All this groups were joined by the American Blacks in 1930s during the Great Depression. Since World War II, this area is mostly made of Chinese. The Strathcona Church is a Swedish Lutheran Church, Saint Steven’s Greek Catholic Church, Saint Mary’s Ukrainian Church, Saint Francis Xavier and last, it belongs to the Chinese. This building remained the same for the past 100 years.
photo credit to Clara Chung
The house on 51st E Pender is Vancouver’s oldest house. This house is introduced by England to North America in 1876. This house has many characteristics including steep roofs, a symmetrical composition, balconies, bay windows and high decorative details. The decoration costs approximately $6 back then. $6 can be made in 2 days by a carpenter. In 1991, this house is renovated and the owner received a heritage warranty. Most of the houses in Chinatown, Vancouver has the same style as this one.
Dr.Sun Yat Sen is born in China; nevertheless, he have received western education. He have established the National People’s party and the Chinese United Party. He have abolished the last Chinese emperor of Qing dynasty and have brought forth democracy. In 1911 he has succeeded and became China’s first leader under democracy. This building in Chinatown, Vancouver is his western headquarters. In a larger sense, the Chinese dynasty is demolished by his plans which are made in this building. The Chinese Canadians in British Columbia also hope that a strong China means a better life for them. The structure of this building is unique. There is a balcony on the top floor (roof); however, it is closed now.
The Mclean Park Housing Project is very important in Chinatown. According to the book Disappearing Moon Cafe, dating is a huge part in this place. This apartment is made for the first mayor of Vancouver who’s last name of Mclean. This building is considered as “Utopia”. Utopia is a term which means a perfect society. The Mayor of Vancouver want to demolish all the houses around this one in order to create more “Utopias”. Mayor Mclean thinks that good looking apartments can empower this society, Chinatown. most large building projects turn into poverty and crimes today; nevertheless, their opinions are very different in the 1950s.
photo credit to Clara Chung
This building is an ordinary, three floor apartment which can also be found in Vancouver. The architect’s name is E.E Blacklore who use a style called “The second Renaissance revival”. This style is common in the 1930s. This building has many characteristics including wide entrance way, a balcony above the entrance, a stone base and declarative window bands. This building represents the time of 1901-1930.
A green house is occupied by an undertaker. Undertaker is another word for grave digger. This is the last style of house which is built in this era.
Proud to be Canadian? 