On Saturday, July 6, the community is invited to celebrate the heritage of Townsite at Henderson House Living Museum. Tourism Powell River and Townsite Heritage Society are hosting the event in conjunction with Canada Historic Places Day from 10 am to 4 pm at the historic building located at 6211 Walnut Street.
The national program, sponsored by National Trust for Canada and Parks Canada Agency, is a one-day event highlighting more than 400 significant historical sites across Canada. The purpose is to boost awareness and visitors at the sites, according to Joëlle Sévigny, who works for Tourism Powell River and is board secretary for Townsite Heritage Society.
“At Henderson House we’re going to use the day to launch a brand new revamped brochure we designed for the Townsite self-guided walking tour, as well as a redesigned website and a new T-shirt fundraiser,” said Sévigny.
Funds raised will go toward the heritage society’s continued operation of Henderson House. Starting at 10 am there will be a tour of the house hosted by former City of Powell River mayor and retired naval officer Stewart Alsgard, and throughout the day the house will be open with food and other refreshments available, as well as a scavenger hunt planned for children.
The home referred to as Dr. Henderson’s House was one of the first two houses built by the Powell River Company in 1911 for the town’s first physician. No expense was spared in the design and appointments of the home influenced by the garden city and arts and crafts movements of the time.
The house was restored by the Townsite Heritage Society in 2011.
