Grant helps Lawson home

become new WV museum

NEARLY A_ half million doltars
has now been raised towards the
planned renovation of Gertrude
Lawson heuse as West Van-
couver’s future museum and ar-
chives.

By Maureen Curtis
Contributing Writer

West Vancouver-Howe Sound
MLA John Reynolds recently
presented West Vancouver District
Council with a $108,000 GO B.C.
grant for the facility, which is
across the street from West Van-
couver municipal hall.

“t know we are going to be
pleased with the new facility and
we are all looking forward to con-
struction starting,”' said Reynolds.

WEST VANCOUVER
DISTRICT COUNCIL

He noted that Gertrude Lawson
was the daughter of John and
Christina Lawson, who were pio-
neers of West Vancouver in 1905.

‘“*John Lawsoa holds the
distinction of being the founder of
the West Vancouver ferry service,
chairman of the first school
board. a farmer and a
postmaster,”’ said Reynolds.

The GO B.C. grant was in ad-
dition to the $60,000 B.C.
Heritage Trust grant the
municipality also received recent-
ly, according to district parks
director Kevin Pike.

Added to contributions from

Sleuthing nets funds

THANKS TO the detective work
of West Vancouver archivist
Rupert Harrison, a further $500
has been donated via Lloyds Bank
of England to Gertrude Lawson
House.

Maureen Curtis
News Reporter

Through Harrison’s assistance
and research, Lloyds Bank was
able to locate the beneficiary of a
1959 will, Michael Birch, who is
row living in France.

At the suggestion of a Lloyds
Bank Assistant Manager Myles
Sutherland, Birch agreed to do-
nate $500 of his inheritance to the
municipality, specifically towards
the maintenance of Gertrude
Z.awson house.

Sutherland wrote that he was
very impressed with the level of
assistance West Vancouver District
had provided.

134 W. Esplanade
North Vancouver

For
Reservations:

Ph. 9-The Keg
(984-3534)

WEST VANCOUVER
DISTRICT COUNCIL

Harrison, a former municipal
clerk, was told that the last-known
address for a beneficiary of the
will of Mrs. E. G. Dubled was, as
of 1959, Forest Ridge, Caulfield,
Vancouver, B.C.

Assuming that West Van-
couver’s ‘‘Caulfeild’® was the cor-
rect location, Harrison found the
names of Douglas and Dorothy
Birch of Stone Crescent on the
1960 voters’ list.

He eventually tracked the
widowed Mrs. Birch to a Bellevue
apartment where conversations
with the present lessee of her suite
revealed that the woman had died,
leaving a son, Michael.

Harrison then contacted Mrs.
Birch's lawyer and obtained
Michael Birch’s address.

the West Vancouver Rotary Club
($75,000), North Shore Rotoract
Club ($16,000), West Vancouver
Historical Society ($27,500), and
fres paid or donated by the
municipality ($60,500), the total
saised for the renovation thus far
is $447,000.

Council gave their approval
Jan. 28 for the tendering of the
Gertrude Lawson house project
and the use of interim municipal
financing prior to the receipt of
the balance of the funds.

Wilson expects that the project
will be completed by November,
in time for an official opening
during Heritage Week in February
1992.

The municipality paid just over
$1! million for the Gertrude
Lawson house, which was in
danger of being replaced with
apartment development.

WEST VAN ANTIQUE COLLECTIBLE SALE
Sesday Feb. 17th 16 AM - 4 PM
Y.M.C.A. - 1735 Inglewood Ave.
{at 17th St.) ever 90 sales tables
featuring high quality antiques, furniture
and collectibles! Admission: $2.30.

(Seniors FREE after 2pm)
Call Graham of Susan Page 250-3352

. Presented by the Capilano College Community Music

Es SERTA STANDARD

Friday, February 15, 1991 - North Shore News - 13

A Benefit Concert for the ue
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Saturday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m.

St. Andrew's United Church, 1044 St. George's Ave. North Van.

Tickets: $12 adults, $7 students & seniors, available at the door
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