Timeline

The following timeline highlights key accomplishments in the history of the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN).

1970

UNESCO Convention on Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.

1972

National Museums Policy proposes an inventory of public collections.

Government of Canada creates the National Inventory Programme.

1982

National Inventory Programme becomes the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN).

1987

Conservation Information Network data, along with other databases, become accessible via dial-up.

1991

CHIN's streetscape logo is adopted, following a call for submissions from CHIN member institutions.

1995

CHIN's website for heritage professionals and volunteers is launched at chin.gc.ca

CHIN produces its first virtual exhibit, an international collaboration titled Christmas Traditions in France and Canada.

1999

National Inventories are re-designed for the Web, becoming Artefacts Canada.

2001

Virtual Museum of Canada (VMC) portal for the general public launched at virtualmuseum.ca

VMC Investments issues its first call for proposals.

2002

Community Memories issues its first call for proposals.

2003

Community Memories section in the VMC is launched.

2004

CHIN membership surpasses 1000 not-for-profit heritage institutions across Canada.

2006

The Knowledge Exchange section is added to the CHIN Web site.

2007

The Agora section (now the VMC Teachers’ Centre) in the VMC is launched as a pilot project.

2009

CHIN relaunches its Web properties, incorporating the latest approaches and technologies.

The Knowledge Exchange, now titled the Professional Exchange, becomes a stand-alone website.

For the full story about CHIN, please view narrative history.