“Where was that photo taken?” is a question I get asked often.
“Oh, at Hope Valley from the TV show When Calls the Heart,” I reply.
The usual response is, “Where’s that? It looks neat!” or “Oh I have never heard of it, is it a real town?”
Grab a coffee, and have a seat. I will tell you a bit about our experience in Hope Valley.
In October 2019, my daughters and I were privileged to win the draw to be able to attend the Hearties Family Reunion Convention in British Columbia, Canada. “Hearties” are a fan-based community for the fans of the show When Calls the Heart and the convention was originally put on by the fans over 5 years ago. When Calls the Heart is based on the book series by Canadian author, Jeanette Oke where a young school teacher moves to this fictional frontier town in western Canada in the early 1900’s, and discovers a much different lifestyle than she is accustomed to. Coal Valley as it originally was called, was a coal mining town but later becomes Hope Valley, providing jobs at the local sawmill for its characters, with wholesome lessons woven throughout.
We already love all things old fashioned from the pioneer era, so to be able to see the set of Hope Valley at the Jamestown Movie Set at the MacInnes Farm in Langley, BC was truly a dream come true. We were sure to wear our period-appropriate clothing to visit the set which made us feel so much more like we were part of When Calls the Heart. We also became the subject of many photos.
We were lucky enough to see a festive Hope Valley as they prepared to film their Christmas episode. It was interesting to learn how they create their winter town, and so fun walking through Hope Valley ready for Christmas! I could have spent days walking through and taking it all in.
Not only did we get to see the set (which was one of our favourite things we were able to do), and where When Calls the Heart is actually filmed but we learned about how they film and what the different buildings are, and we even took a step inside the greenroom! We saw each of the individual buildings like the jail and mercantile as well as the infirmary, saloon and Dottie’s dress shop. We saw where the stage coach would be and the infamous church and schoolhouse. We saw the beautiful fields that are seeded in barley and where the actors walk through it, making it seem they truly are in a frontier town. We were shown the markings on the floors that show the actors where they are to step on for each scene and camera angle. We saw some trinkets can be moved around and some are fastened down. We learned about how they make the smoke coming out of the chimneys and the interesting tidbits about the row housing. The tour of Hope Valley was on the last day of the Hearties Convention and will be memories we treasure.
During the convention, we also got to meet the actors and actresses, ask them questions and hear what they had to say about their characters and filming and their advice about doing something that you love. I think that was one of the fantastic things about this experience — seeing just how appreciative the actors and actresses are of the fans and how they inspire you to follow your dreams and do what you love because if you truly enjoy and love what you do, you will never work. “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” as the saying goes, has most definitely stuck with me. Would we not all love to enjoy our work?
We also got to meet the developers and creators, directors and author of the book series and we even got to meet Jeanette and get a book signed by her, and listen to a Q&A with them all as well as with the set designer, casting director, costume designers, and more. We learned about their tricks and secrets of the trade plus met so many fans. It was truly an amazing experience that my daughters and I are so very grateful for! It will be memories we cherish for years to come.
Looking around the fictional frontier town of Hope Valley made us never want to leave. I think it is because of the closeness of the townsfolk and how they look out for each other. We all want to be part of a close community where we can depend on one another on good days and bad. To be part of a community where we can count on each other and know that there is someone there to lend a hand should someone need it. A community where we help each other, stick together, build up and even re-build a town with, prosper together all the while reminding each other to keep our faith in God. A town where everything is within walking distance and where the doctor and nurse knows everyone by name and care what ails us. The Mercantile is the general store with everything that is needed, otherwise it is ordered in, and grabbing the mail, sending a telegram or making a phone call is available. And of course the cafe to eat home cooked meals or fresh baked pie and a saloon where one can have a bite to eat or a drink at the end of the day or attend a dance or celebration. A church to attend and hear an inspiring sermon on Sundays and then transformed into a school for all the children during the week. A Mountie who patrols the town fighting the bad guys and businesses who employ the townsfolk. The camaraderie, the kindness of fellow townsfolk, a place to feel safe and a place to call home. The old fashioned, “simpler” times is what draws a lot of us in.
“But what is life but a bittersweet mix of sadness, wonderment, hope and joy?”
– Elizabeth Thatcher, in her journal, season one
We are still needing to build up our towns and prosper together and need those we can count on, support one another, stick together and care for each other, even if it is from a distance, through all of this crazy pandemic. We are slowing down, cooking at home more and spending time with our families — much like the pioneers did and those who lived in such towns as Hope Valley.
Even through this pandemic and times of uncertainty, we all can have hope and faith – the very thing Hope Valley conveys.
Hope Valley makes you feel like you are welcomed and right at home. It is a place that draws you in with its charm and entices you to stay. We are looking forward to taking another trip one day, to Hope Valley.
