Canada's History (Formerly The Beaver) earned two top prizes on October 16 during a gala ceremony in Vancouver. The magazine captured awards for photography that appeared in the October-November 2009 edition of The Beaver magazine.

The award-winning work was titled “Saving Skid Row” — a photo essay on historical hotels in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

Photographers Jessica Venturi and Robert Karpa, of Venturi + Karpa, won the category of Best Portrait, and also, Best Photo Essay. Text for the article was written by Vancouver writer Christopher Pollon.

The award-winning article was designed by Art Director Michel Groleau, and edited by Associate Editor Nelle Oosterom.

Canada's History congratulates everyone involved with the article. The magazine was also a finalist in two other categories: Magazine of the Year (Manitoba) and Best Magazine Feature (Manitoba).

The “Saving Skid Row” article begins with "The old buildings of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside have a checkered past. Is there shady heritage worth saving?"

Decide for yourself: we provide the article below as it appeared it print.