Update January 2005

For the financial support we have received from the Vancouver Foundation, Billie Mitchell and the John Hardie Mitchell Foundation, both Provincial and Federal Governments along with those key donors who requested their donations remain anonymous, we must say thank you.

Update September 2004

The museum had applied some time ago for a $60,000 grant from the BC Gaming Commission; and we received a $40,000 grant from them some months ago.

We have also received private gifts from anonymous donors.

Update December 2002

A major donation had been made to MM&HS in late December. Sincere thanks to the John Hardie Mitchell Family Foundation, and to Billie Mitchell for the very generous gift of $10,000 toward the cost of the final phase of the work on the Colbourne House restoration. This is only the most recent financial support provided by the Mitchell Family. On two previous occasions, at critical times as the restoration work went forward, the Foundation made similar donations to the Society. Our success to date owes a great deal to this very generous and continuing support.

We also have a recent update on the efforts to obtain support from the B.C. Gaming Commission lottery revenues. In lieu of a capital grant for 2002 we have just been advised that $9,000 has been awarded to MM&HS for operating expenses. The operating grant money is very welcome indeed.

We have applied to the B.C. Gaming Commission for $60,000 to finish the interior walls, ceilings and floors and put electrical and plumbing fixtures in place. We qualify for funding but there is still no reply at the time of writing. We plan interior finishing from the 20's and 30's era. We have some items waiting, i.e., the dining table and chairs and the washing machine from the Colbourne family and look forward to contributing the money, furniture, kitchen equipment, pictures etc. to make an appropriate display to show school children how it used to be and bring back memories for older visitors

BENEFACTORS

Phase 1
B.C. Heritage Trust
John Hardie Mitchelll Family Foundation
Vancouver Foundation
Bob Stubbs
Marpole Rotary
Individual members of the Society and fundraising events
Byrne Road Wholesale Lumber
Ocean Cement
Clive Justice, Landscape Architect
Robert Spencer, Professional Engineer

Phase 2 (to October 31, 2000)
John Hardie Mitchell Family Foundation
Anonymous gift
Morrey-Nissan Dealership (Lyle and Gary Morey)
Royal Bank of Canada
Royal Bank of Canada Employee Volunteer Program
Individual members of the Society and fundraising events
Government of Canada

Phase 3
Millennium Partnership Program 2000 Grant
British Columbia 2000 Community Spirit Grant
Byrne Road Wholesale Lumber

Current Project Objectives

Future Society plans include additional site development with plans for a community garden and an accessory building for cultural performances, presentations and exhibitions of interest to the Marpole Community.

Past Project Objectives

The objective of the society is to preserve the heritage of a property which clearly shows how the majority of Marpole families lived in the early 20th Century. Condos and large houses are quickly replacing heritage houses and therefore our project is unique in the area and the city. Location

The dwelling, affectionately known as the "Colbourne House", has been recognized by City of Vancouver Heritage Committee and the Marpole community for its significance as one of the original homes built in the period of local transition from farming to township.

In 1994, the property was leased to the Society for a period of 60 years by the City of Vancouver. The property contains a small and modest frame house, which was built in 1912 by Mr. T. Thomas, carpenter. The house was sold to Mr. Henry Colbourne in 1936, and occupied by his family for 45 years, until 1981.

The property is located in the south-west area of Vancouver and is adjacent to a small, but well used neighbourhood William S. Mackie park. To the west of the property is the Canadian Pacific Railway line (originally the Lulu Island Railway line), which is still active but not to the extent of earlier days when the interurban tram operated from downtown Vancouver to Steveston on Lulu Island.

There is a Kiwanis retirement complex and a number of condominium projects within a block of the house. The broad view from the site is to the south-west. It encompasses the Vancouver International Airport, Richmond and the Georgia Strait.

On this two block stretch of S.W. Marine Drive only the subject property remains as a reminder of earlier times, for the majority of houses of this era have been demolished and replaced by multi-family dwellings.

With the exception of the basement/ground floor area, the dwelling is to be restored to the 1930's era. The chief heritage feature is the "T"-shaped bell cast gambrel roof.

Plans

The reconstructed house will benefit many generations to come and act as an educational resource for young people in schools, churches and club groups. The facility will also serve as a meeting place for adults, in particular seniors, as well as visitors to the area. The Society will use the property for special events and gatherings.

The basement/ground floor now accommodates an office for the Society and a meeting place for the public.

The main floor will be restored to the 1930's era and will contain the many artifacts being donated to the Society. Knowledgeable persons will be involved with the preservation of the artifacts and documents.

The basement/ground floor is wheelchair accessible.

 Construction

Update April 29, 2005

The house has been power washed and painting the interior is well underway. If this good weather continues, perhaps the exterior will be painted after the interior. We have also had a 1936 wood stove donated, which fits in the kitchen nicely.

Update April 3, 2005

The rain stopped on Sunday, April 3rd, just as 10 members began to spruce up the gardens at "Colbourne House". The weather turned excellent and the gardens look great.

Update March 2005

We have contracted out the Interior and Exterior painting (of the museum) to "Personal Touch Painting" and they hope to begin that project around mid-April with a goal of completion a few weeks later. We had toyed with the idea of some of us members doing the painting; but in the end decided to let the professionals do it. After the painting is completed, we will begin, at long long last the displays of historical artifacts some of us have been storing for years.

Update October 2004

Floors have been sanded and 1st coat of Walnut stain on the main floor. The colours have been selected for room painting.

Update September 2004

With the $40,000 grant from the BC Gaming Commission - - we have brought back our contractor, Wayne Genge, with the ability now, for all intents and purposes, to finish the project to the point of installing displays, furniture, et cetera for the 1930's era. After so many years, it sure is great to "see a light at the end of the tunnel".

August 18, 2002

Ground Floor has been completed with the Society's office, full kitchen, two washrooms (one is wheelchair accessible) and a rental meeting room.

The upper two floors require more funding to make them 100% complete.

2002

We have just recently started work on the upstairs area inside the house, and are hopeful we can conclude the house portion of the project in time for the summer of 2003. You will notice some work has already started around the outside area of the house, and it is our hope that it too will be much further along by the summer.

Landscaping has been carefully planned by Clive Justice using shrubs, perennials and bulbs available in Vancouver in the period of the 20's and 30's.

Volunteer work-bees under the direction of Robert Spence are installing a brick walkway from the street down the south side of the house to provide the patio outside the kitchen Dutch-door and around the back. This brick patio at the back will be the platform for outside events, with stairs and porch as stage setting. Let us dream and make our dreams come true!

Our contractor Wayne Genge returned to the job the beginning of November. He is building the back porch at the main floor level, and the stairs down to the back patio. He is putting in place the adjacent framework needed for the lift/elevator which is to be completed at some future date when we have the funding ($20,000) for it. He is also installing the interior support framing to bring the main floor and second floor to meet building code requirements for public use and so that the house will survive for another 90 years or so.

2001

To date the house has been raised on 3'-3" to provide a 8' ceiling height on the basement/ground floor. In this area new electrical service has been installed, wheelchair access has been made available, a new concrete floor has been poured and rough plumbing for two washrooms and a kitchen have been installed.

2000

As of October, 2000, the roof has been restored and re-shingled. The 2nd Floor addition has been demolished to replace the original roof line, as has the interior plaster of the walls to the original wood framing.

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