Port Moody's history is being celebrated with a coffee-table book called Tracks in Time: Port Moody's First 100 Years, which depicts life in the budding rail town from 1880 to 1980.
The book chronicles the city's earlier years but was intended to help celebrate PoMo's centennial year, which marks 100 years since it was officially incorporated as a city in 1913.
Port Moody Station Museum manager Jim Millar said the book just arrived Tuesday morning and said the two-year labour of love "looks great."
The project was first conceived in 2010 when the PoMo Heritage Society lost its gaming grant funding; the book, however, was eligible for a federal grant for seniors.
From there, the heritage society contacted PoMo seniors in a "reminiscing group" that met monthly to share stories of life in Port Moody back in the early days. Museum staff recorded the sessions and incorporated many of the more colourful stories into the book.
"Helping with the book was so much fun," said participant Valerie Julian in a release. "Reminiscing about the old times living on Clarke Street and the people who were around then really brought back memories."
Many seniors also volunteered to research, write and edit the text for the book, which is divided into 11 themes covering topics such as social life and industry. Museum staff added their own expertise and archival knowledge, pulling together more than 200 oral histories and 6,000 photographs collected by the heritage society over the years.
Contained in the book's 192 full-colour pages are photos depicting the life of Port Moody pioneers, through war time and the daily grind at the ubiquitous mills. Memorable Moments offer heartwarming insight - and often humour - into the community's stories and history.
Money raised from book sales will support the Port Moody Heritage Society and the Station Museum.
The Port Moody Heritage Society celebrates the launch of Tracks in Time at the city hall Galleria (100 Newport Dr.) on Sunday, Feb. 3 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The book is $40 and can be purchased at the event, at the Station Museum (2734 Murray St.) or online at www.portmoodymuseum.org.
