January 1995 WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY Pages COMING EVENTS A THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 at 7:00 pm WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY -GENERAL MEETING - In the Auditorium of the Cedardale Centre, 595 Burley Drive, Off Taylor Way Sponsorship of this Meeting will be undertaken by: THE CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE DATE OF FOLLOWING MEETING: Thursday, March 23,1995 JAN. 28, FEB, 11 (10am-4pm) & MAR. 15 (l-4pm) EXPLORING MUSEUMS - Tours of musemns and historic sites at Steveston and Fort Langley and of West Vancouver Cultural Facilities Info and Registration at: West Vancouver Recreation Centre at 926-3266 See the Enclosed Museum and Archives Flyer for Details FEBRUARY 25,1995 - 1:30pm at WVM&A WEST VANCOUVER HERITAGE WEEK Historical Walking Tours and Heritage Reception See the Enclosed Museum and Archives Flyer for Details For further information you may call The Museum & Archives at 926-9254 MUSEUM EXHIBIT JAN. 17 TO FEB. 25,1995 WEST VANCOUVER MUSEUM & ARCHIVES ^Visions of West Vancouver* See the Enclosed Museum and Archives Flyer for Details V______________________________________________f Concerning the Archives There have been many inquiries regarding the temporary closure of the Archives. With respect to reopening, a search for an Archivist is underway and a replacement is expected imminently; reopening will follow after a short period of training. For those who have expressed a concern over archival material originally entrusted to the Society, be assured that our original commitment for perpetual care will be honoured. When the Society archives were formally transferred to the West Vancouver Museum and Archives they assumed responsibility to maintain these records and make them accessible for research in perpetuity. In the unlikely event that the Museum and Archives were unable to fulfil their responsibilities they would make other arrangements to ensure the original commitments were honoured. Several donors have suggested a commitment was made by the Society to return donated material under certain circumstances. No such commitment was made as it would be virtually impossible to carry out. Such concerns are understandable but be assured, the current closure of the Archives is just temporary and in no way indicates any change in policy. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: The West Vancouver Historical Society is very lucky in having several dedicated members who have offered so much of their time and talent to the Society over the few years of its existence. Bemie Holt, David and Georgie Wilson, Jack Leyland come to mind, to name just a few. Another member who offers so much in her quiet way, is Laureen Jones. Laureen spends many hours all year, planning and setting up displays for special events occurring in our Municipality throughout the year. She also designed a very attractive card with a drawing of Gertrude Lawson House, to which, in winter, she adds snow and a wreath on the front door - great for Christmas gifts or Christmas cards. She has also designed an attractive decal for our Society, and a gift card to enclose with gift memberships. Apart from all the above, along comes our Christmas party. Laureen planned this delightful event at Spuraway, and spent more hours on phone calls regarding our entertainment, bar service, photographs, as well as selecting and wrapping many of the gifts that the Director's donated for Santa's draw prizes! Laureen goes about all these activities on behalf of our Society in her quiet way, and most of our members are probably unaware of the hours she puts in on our behalf, and so in my opinion, I feel that recognition should go out to her with our thanks for a job(s) well done. Joan Skipper, West Vancouver Letters to the Editor will be a regular feature in our Newsletter in the future. Please refer to the Editorial Comment on Page 4 for some background and suggestions. From a Back Issue - voi lo no. i - jan. *92 - pg. 6 Press Release dated Jan. 5,1992. Jim MacCarthy, Publicity. Thought you would be interested to learn that West Vancouver’s modest philanthropist, Kay Meek, has made another generous gift to her community. Recipient organization this time is the West Vancouver Museum and Historical Society, the moving force behind the restoration of the Gertmde Lawson Heritage House. The $50,000 donation from the Kay Meek Foundation is specifically designated for display cabinets and other furnishings for that section of the Gertrude Lawson House set up as a museum. In the note dated Nov. 30, 1991 accompanying her cheque,: Dear Sirs, I am enclosing a cheque for $50,000 from the “Kay Meek Foundation Fund’’ which I wish to donate to the “Gertrude Lawson Heritage House Museum’’ specificaUy for the furnishings required. I am so delighted and proud with the restoration work that has been accomplished by your hard working members.The Museum will become a tremendous asset to West Vancouver in the near future. Yours Sincerely, Kay Meek