Viewing Object

Object Description

Object ID

2013.014.002

Title

Queen of the Flowers Voting and Dance Entry Ticket.

Date

Jul. 1939.

Description

Green with black text, scanned copy of Langley Agricultural Association's "Queen of the Flowers Contest", ticket no. 618. Top portion of ticket reads "Miss Betty Bowden/sponsored by the Native Sons and Daughters of B.C./ This ticket entitles the candidate 25 votes in Langley Queen of the Flowers Contest. /Contest Closes 8.00 pm Monday, July 10th, 1939." Middle portion of ticket describes Langley Agricultural Association/Flower Show July 15, 1939, ticket entitles purchaser for entry in a free drawing. Bottom portion is for Flower Show Dance at the Athletic Hall, Langley Prairie on Saturday, July 15th, 1939, from 9.30 to 12.00. Ticket admits one.

People/Subject

Athletic Hall (Langley Prairie)

Langley Agricultural Association

Native Sons and Daughters of British Columbia

A small, secret organization created in 1899, based on a similar organization in California. They adopted Hudson's Bay company titles for their Officers, such as "Chief Factor" for the head of a local chapter or "Post". They were formed to maintain awareness of BC pioneers and provide mutual economic benefits for their members
Term Source: HPC Record (HPC-435/1191)

Walker, Mabel Priscilla (Betty) (nee Bowden)

Mabel Priscilla "Betty" Bowden (married name Walker) was born in Langley in 1918. She was one of the six children of Mabel Priscilla and Gary (Garfield Walter) Bowden. She was the first Flower Queen, crowned in July 1939. She was crowned by Phyllis Izod of Chilliwack, who was Cherry Queen there, as there was no Queen in Langley yet to crown Betty. Betty met her husband Ewart Walker at the Flower Queen dance. He was teaching at Milner Elementary. They were engaged in October 1940 and married in Calgary on November 5, 1940. They had two children. Ewart went away to serve in the Second World War, so Betty moved home to Langley. Ewart returned in 1944.

Argus v4.3.6.40 - Langley Centennial Museum