Consideration was given to remodeling the Carnegie building but this proved to be unfeasible. After years of extensive lobbying, a new site was decided upon, funding was obtained and construction began on a new building uptown at 6th Avenue and Ash Street. We really enjoyed working with Paul and Brandy, they listened to our ideas and added some of their owns that we hadn’t thought of and the result is our gorgeous kitchen. On budget and the attention to detail and quality finish is incredible. We really enjoy the layout & functionality and look forward to cooking in it and hosting parties.
On August 15th, 1865 the Library opened in the quarters of the former Mint where it remained until 1890. During the first two years of its existence, the Library was well funded by the government but by 1868 all government aid was withdrawn. The Library was forced to rely entirely upon subscriptions and limped along for the next 22 years. By 1890 the Mint building was in a terrible state of decay, which was particularly noticeable when compared with the many fine new buildings that were being built in New Westminster. Soon after it was completed however, the library’s space was required for civic administration and so the City began to investigate the possibility of obtaining money from the Carnegie Corporation. Andrew Carnegie was a wealthy philanthropist who, as a firm believer in the importance and value of a free public library, donated money to communities across the United States, parts of Canada and the United Kingdom, for the construction of libraries.
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The years in the Carnegie Library saw the development of the first consistent modern community services, accompanied by increased expectations of New Westminster residents. For the first time, professionally trained librarians were hired, the book stacks were opened to the public , and both Children’s and Reference Rooms were created. The first Library and Reading Room was established in 1865 through financial support from the colonial government and membership fees charged to the public.
That proud accomplishment now houses the kitchen, office and a deck overlooking Triangle Park, the hidden gem of the neighbourhood. On entering the home one senses the mastery with wood that is evident throughout the house from the mouldings to built-in drawers and closets. We had the honour of having the Wood Be Art show house on tour this year along with two other homes we recently did work in. The weather was super and the volunteers amazingly enthusiastic.
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The tour also includes a First Shaughnessy mansion, a Kerrisdale Craftsman and several other lovingly restored and maintained heritage and character homes. The Library has many resources to help you find information on historical figures and residents of New Westminster. Library staff are also available to help you access our resources. Library use continued to increase and by the late 1940’s it was clear that a larger space was needed to house the ever-growing and popular library.
Upstairs, 2 more bedrooms share a spa-like bathroom with a soaker tub and separate open concept shower & double sinks. Downstairs, a home office uses the space of the roughed in kitchen with insuite laundry, just past the 3-piece bathroom and flex space with a separate entrance. A tremendous amount of storage space rounds out the basement beyond the 2022 electric furnace and 2018 on-demand water heater. Outside an oasis back patio with a meandering stone path and water feature wraps around the 2014 built, heated double garage with water, 11’-14’ ceiling heights, power for a car charger and 2 integrated exteriors, roll up door, locking sheds. A 200 amp panel, heat pump, double and triple glazed windows, 2 piece guest bathroom off the foyer plus a second laundry, are just a few more details about this extraordinary home. Only a few blocks from the, under construction, Canada Games Pool, Queens Park & McBride Plaza.
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Second, heritage buildings often retain their value with more resiliency as property markets shift through time and support tourism. Bowing to public pressure, the City Council decided to take action. The Dominion government agreed to donate the Columbia Street property where the Mint building stood, on the condition that a proper library building would be built and maintained by the City as a free public library.
A temporary Reading Room was established in half of a store building, with the other half occupied by the Fire Department, including its horses. Unfortunately, the beautiful new library building was doomed to a short existence. On the night of September 10, 1898 the building was destroyed in the Great Fire.
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Renovation and expansion of the existing Library began in 1977 and included the addition of 17,800 square feet. After only a brief closure from August 6th to September 5th, 1978, the library officially re-opened October 21st, 1978. The New Westminster Public Library is a vibrant, modern library situated in the city of New Westminster (pop. 52,000), in the Greater Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada. However, it’s the whimsical and elegant design touches that surprise and please the eye as you enter the focal point of the house—the kitchen.
This charming home retains the original exterior wood cedar shakes, stone planters and leaded glass windows.
In May 2013 the New Westminster Public Library opened its first-ever branch in 148 years, in the revitalized Queensborough Community Centre. This branch will serve the needs of the community in Queensborough and provide them with convenient access to Library services alongside other great New Westminstser Parks, Culture, and Recreation facilities. The new Library also saw a dramatic increase in use, due to shifts in city demographics and the change from single family dwellings to apartments. By 1976 it again became apparent that the Library was not large enough to accommodate the number of members.
There are social, financial and environmental benefits to retaining heritage buildings in a community. First, heritage sites are a connection to the past and provide a sense of history and continuity. Heritage sites also tell the stories of who we are what we have experienced as a community, in addition to functioning as landmarks and having significant aesthetic value.
In April, 2019 the Main Branch reopened after undergoing a 5.5 million dollar renovation that occurred in three phases over seventeen months. The New Westminster Public Library (est. 1865) is B.C.’s oldest library and is home to an impressive collection of genealogical and local history resources. Most resources do not circulate and are thus for in-library use only. A library card, driver’s license, or other ID may be required to use certain items. Step inside and tour 11 exquisite homes spanning seven decades of heritage artistry blended with modern day living.
Check our Patreon page for stylish coffee mugs, private city tours, and more – or, make a one-time or recurring donation. NEW this year we are also offering a limited number of bus tickets! Leave the car and your parking worries at home and join a small group of heritage enthusiasts as your mini-bus driver does the navigating.
The NWHPS is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage stock in honour of its contribution to the City’s economy, sustainability, culture and aesthetic appeal. We do this by advocating on behalf of buildings in need of preservation, restoration or access to funding and promoting constructive conversations with our partners in the community. Sometimes you get the seriously funky Strathcona or East Van gem on the same tour as triple-A heritage Shaughnessy mansions and beautiful West End apartment buildings. There are some avid cyclists who are always present, but they obviously do not have arthritis.
They really listened to what we wanted, offered excellent suggestions, and went out of their way to ensure that what they were building was exactly what we were looking for. They REALLY care about the quality of their work and that each client is satisfied. The Peter Lik’s lithograph “Tranquility” grounds the space and the house reminding us that there is spiritual connection to all things Wood. Adjacent to the kitchen is an open area that serves as the house’s central think tank/home office. The Wood house features all the traditional fare of homes of that era including the original tiled fireplace, coved ceilings and a large front window.
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