Off the 'Cuff

I’ve always found that writing press releases is a challenging process. Finding just the right words, in the minimum necessary space, is surprisingly difficult. (Especially when you’re used to giving rambling two hour tours on a subject…) I’ve attended, and given, countless workshops about this stuff, but it’s still a grind to get something together that sounds good.

“Sins” has always been a little bit easier to write about, because there are so many compelling ways to look at the material, so many great threads to tug on. The challenge is to get the “flavour” of things across in only a few short paragraphs.

Without any further fanfare, here is the press release that we sent out yesterday to all the local media outlets. Now, we wait and see if someone nibbles…

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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sins of the City: Back for Another Season

Vancouver (July 8, 2008) – Vancouver’s rowdy history is the focus of the Sins of the City Walking Tour offered again this summer by the Vancouver Police Museum. Back for a third season, this two-hour guided tour takes participants through the oldest parts of Vancouver—Japantown, Chinatown and Gastown—exploring the early history of the city’s sex and drug trades, alcohol laws and much more.

“For all the talk today about turning Vancouver into a Civil City, we have a long history of barely-restrained behavior,” says Chris Mathieson, Executive Director at the Vancouver Police Museum. “This was a city built on a foundation of vice—‘Gassy Jack’ Deighton and ‘Portuguese Joe’ Silvey were selling alcohol and running cock fights before the place even had a name.”

“Much time is spent trying to present a polished view of our city to the world,” continues Mathieson, “but our roguish side is nothing new, and it seems people are keen to learn about that naughty side.”

Covering twelve city blocks, the tour highlights some of the many brothels, opium dens, gambling houses and bootlegging joints that once called this city home. Also presented are some of the many fascinating characters—on both sides of the law—that battled for the heart and soul of Vancouver.

In the middle all this history sits the Vancouver Police Museum, which has seen significant growth in the last five years—from 3500 visitors in 2003 to almost 20,000 in 2007. “Programs like the Sins walking tour have helped significantly to raise the profile of the museum”, says Mathieson. “People are starting to realize that our museum is housed in an amazing building and we have countless compelling stories to tell.”

These walking tours take place, rain or shine, on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays at 4 p.m. from July 9 to October 1, 2008. The fee is $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors; Reservations are required 24 hours in advance by calling (604) 665-3346. Participants are also invited to visit the Police Museum on the day of their walking tour at no additional charge. More information can be found on the museum website at www.vancouverpolicemuseum.ca.

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Contact:

Chris Mathieson, Executive Director
Vancouver Police Museum
240 East Cordova, Vancouver BC
Direct: 604-665-2207
chris@vancouverpolicemuseum.ca
www.vancouverpolicemuseum.ca
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