Two beautiful homes in Queen’s Park were voluntarily designated recently and we thank these owners for their contribution towards helping to preserve New Westminster’s built heritage.  They have truly provided a gift to our community.

109 Third Avenue – G.R. Speck House built in 1911
This is the third home that owners, Kathleen and Eric, have masterfully restored.   Their attention to detail and their skill in restorative work is amazing and demonstrates their love for preserving the life of a fabulous old house.  They have also considered livability with a modern kitchen and updated bathrooms making this a turnkey location for the next owner.  When these folks decide to put away the sandpaper and move on, they will be leaving a stunning example of heritage restoration for the next generation to enjoy.

125 Third Street – J.J. Johnston House built in 1905
 A beautiful home that has been fully and wonderfully restored, inside and out.   It has been consistently maintained so that it remains comfortable and functioning in all practical ways that are required in any house, old or new.  This property epitomizes how a gracious old home can endure the test of time and be enjoyed for generations.   

The New Westminster Public Library, along with RegenerateBC (a new society dedicated to climate science education and headed up by some fantastic New Westminster educators) is launching a 5 week Climate Action Plan course. Starting March 7, participants will meet weekly to learn about climate science and to make an action plan for themselves, their family, their community, or to affect policy at any government level. Meeting folks where they are, this course caters to everyone from newcomers to climate science (are you making a plan to get their household to recycle more, or to reduce consumption), to folks who are already doing lots in their home and want to activate their community networks (could be where residents’ associations join together), to highly active folks who want to learn more about how to get policy changed at the government level.

We know that the climate emergency will require changes at all levels. Let’s work together as a community to make this happen!

Course runs Tuesday nights, March 7, 14, 21 and April 4 and 11, from 6:00-7:30. It takes place at the New Westminster Public Library in the Auditorium. The course is suitable for adults and teens and we encourage all folks who are interested to attend and bring a friend! The course is free but registration is required so we can plan the space and materials. Register by emailing askus@nwpl.ca

Any questions can be forwarded to:

Caitlin MacRae (she/her/hers)  MLIS

Librarian, Public Services

t: 604.636.3541 | e: cmacrae@nwpl.ca

It’s with great sadness that the New Westminster Heritage Preservation Society announces the passing of NWHPS President Steve North on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. He was 63.

In the words of his wife Gail, Steve was “The Original Good Guy”. Decent. Kind. Funny. Patient.

His dedication to his family, his business and his community made him a respected figure in the many circles he inhabited.

Steve had a passion for New Westminster and the important work of heritage preservation. He and his beloved Gail opened the door to their historic Arthur Davis house–their “work in progress”–many times over the years in support of the Heritage Homes Tours.

Alarmed over the rapidly increasing demolition of older houses in the Queen’s Park neighbourhood, he readily volunteered for the 2014 Heritage Study Working Group that helped craft the 2017 Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area.

Steve served on the Board of Directors for both the Queen’s Park Residents Association and the NWHPS. In 2017 he was elected the President of the NWHPS. It was a role he relished. He sincerely believed that protecting our heritage resources provides present and future benefit to all residents of the City of New Westminster. He was proud to be part of a group that could help foster and promote these ideals.

A highlight for Steve as President was presiding over the NWHPS 40th Annual Heritage Homes Tour in 2019. He coordinated all the moving parts, inspiring the Directors as they planned the celebration of four decades of Homes Tours.

We will miss so many things about Steve. His intelligence and warmth and the way he welcomed you like a valued friend, old or new. He had a wealth of wisdom to share, and the hands-on touch to turn ideas into action.

We will treasure the many memories of Steve, glass in hand, eyes twinkling, beginning a tale with “the funny thing is…” 

His was a bright spirit. We’ll miss his light. 

“It is not what he has, or even what he does which expresses the worth of a man, but what he is.”