Townsite Heritage Society began offering its guided walking tours last month. Tours through the historic neighbourhood will run throughout the summer, taking place at 2 pm on Wednesdays and 10:30 am on Saturdays. Cost is $10 per person.
“These tours will give people the chance to see up close the many wonderful buildings and hear all the tales about Townsite’s storied past,” said Townsite Heritage Society coordinator Linda Nailer.
Running approximately an hour and a half, the tours start at Henderson House, located at 6211 Walnut Street in Townsite. It is recommended that people arrive a bit early, according to Nailer.
Walking tour guides include Stewart Alsgard, Bob Astrope and Joëlle Sévigny, who through their expertise, knowledge and stories about the neighbourhood, help bring its history alive.
“The society is also happy to tailor to the needs of people; for those from out of town who are worrying about catching a ferry, the tour can be made shorter,” said Nailer. “Or for people quite happy to linger, ask questions and take lots of pictures, the tour guides are pleased to indulge that as well.”
Anyone taking the tour is welcome to advise their guide about their needs, she adds.
Townsite is unique for being an almost intact surviving company town from the early 1900s. Some tour highlights include Church Corner, featuring two churches on opposite sides of the street (St. John’s on one side and St. Joseph’s on the other); The Patricia Theatre, built in 1928; and of course, Henderson House Living Museum.
Nailer said Henderson House is her personal favourite.
“I am a little prejudiced when I say Henderson House, because this is the place you get to come inside and experience what the homes were like in the early 1900s, and it was the home of Dr. Andrew Henderson,” she added.
Another aspect to look out for during the tour is seeing all the buildings that were inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, an architectural trend from the early 1900s.
“People who take the tour will discover that the buildings and lush gardens of Townsite have been lovingly restored over the years, a joint effort from the proud residents of Townsite and of the heritage society,” said Nailer.
The society was formed in 1992 when residents became concerned about the neglected state of Townsite. In 1995 Townsite received its designation as a National Historic Site of Canada, which served to recognize the importance of its unique historical character.
For those planning on taking the tour, there is also a chance to learn some interesting trivia about Townsite.
“For example, why is there a two-way stop sign and not a four-way stop at Marine and Ash?” said Nailer. “This is because when the workers came off shift, there were so many people streaming up the hill that the planners of the time gave them the right of way.”
Brochures for self-guided tours can be found at Powell River Visitor Information Centre (4760 Joyce Avenue), on BC Ferries, and at Henderson House Living Museum.
For more information, contact Nailer at 604.483.3901 or thetownsite@shaw.ca.
