November 17, 2006

The passion and products of one of Prince George’s most celebrated naturalists and educators will be showcased by the Northern British Columbia Archives next week, to coincide with Archives Week in BC.

The Mary Fallis collection includes some 5700 photos and 580 books at UNBC, which are now housed in the Archives and the UNBC Library. The collection will be highlighted in presentations by UNBC faculty Greg Halseth and Pat Maher, local naturalist Mike Nash, and Sheldon Clare from the Alpine Club of Canada. Together, they will discuss the value of Fallis’ photos for teaching, research, and preserving the region’s history.

The event is open to the public.
Thursday, November 23, 3pm, Agora Room 7-212 (across from Security)

Mary Fallis was born in 1912 and spent most of her life in southern BC. She moved to Prince George in 1969 to become one of the founding members of the English department at the College of New Caledonia. She remained in Prince George after her retirement in 1972 and became active in expanding the City’s park system (most notably Moore’s Meadow and Cottonwood Island Park). Her stunning nature photography was vital to preservation efforts. She was also a member of the Alpine Club of Canada for 50 years. She was named a Friend of UNBC at the University’s first graduation ceremony in 1994. Mary Fallis died five years later, and her estate donated her extensive library collection and a large portion of her photographs to UNBC.

Archives Announcement
Earlier in the afternoon of November 23, the Archives will make an announcement concerning its national status as an historical repository. This event will be held at 2pm on the third floor of the Geoffrey R. Weller Library. The media is welcome to attend.

Contact:
Ramona Rose, UNBC Archivist - 250.960.6603
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622 

Click on an image below to download the high-resolution file. All photos by Mary Fallis.