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SEPTEMBER 1989 GENERAL MEETING Gertrude Lawson House rescued by the Municipality of West Vancouver from the wreckers ball! That phrase must have fired the imaginations of many of the members of the West Vancouver Museum and Historical Society, for over 70 came out to the Cedardale School on Thursday, September 28, 1989, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the whys and wherefores of the said house being turned into a Municipal Museum and Archives. Jack Leyland referred to the proposal he had presented to the Mayor and Council on July 11, 1898, a copy of which had been mailed to our membership. Jack reminded us that we are custodians of the archives on behalf of the Municipality and the volunteer workload to keep up with it is heavy: last year around 100 members put in 6000 hours of volunteer work, including staffing displays etc. This would be a good time for the Municipality to take over the administration, such as maintenance of the building and hiring staff. We understand the Municipal Manager has budgeted for an Archivist for next year. For the time-being that person would be both Archivist and Museum Curator. We will approach the Municipality on a partnership basis: they have the building; we would like to participate in planning the renovations and would make a financial commitment of $15,000.00, which has been set aside in our Capital Fund for such a purpose. Also, we would provide the volunteer guides for the Museum. Hugh Johnston then showed plans of the building and outlined preliminary suggestions for renovations. The architect has made a rough estimate of $300,000.00 to bring the building up to acceptable standards. Mrs. Gertrude Wilson, Miss Lawson's niece, has donated $100,00.00 to the Municipality towards the renovation. When she heard what we are planning to do, Mrs. Wilson also returned the chandeliers viiich had been taken out when it was thought the building might be demolished. There are grants available from various sources and we will be going to businesses, our members and the community at large to raise further funds. Questions, which were coming thick and fast at this point elicited the following: ... there will be an intercom between floors and special lighting in the museum area to protect artifacts; ... there is no sign of dampness in the basement; ... there will be sprinklers installed; ... consideration will be given to the possibility of installing an elevator; ... it is not large enough to have a live-in caretaker but there will be proper security and a full-time caretaker will be there in working hours; ... although Mr. Lawson did live in the house for a time, it was his daughter. Miss Gertrude Lawson, who built it and it is important that we call it the Gertrude Lawson House; ... Miss Lawson had owned the land since 1929 and had the house built 10 years later â€" as a matter of interest, it seems that she was the first woman in British Columbia to be granted a mortgage!;