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Page 4 WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY February 1997 SOCIETY NEWS Current Affairs and News of General Interest to Members ‘The Leyland Papers’ WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEXT GENERAL MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26,1997 at 7 pm At the Senior Activity Centre, 695 21st Street, West Van. Speaker - Mary Chapman, Archive Volunteer Coordinator Subject - West Vancouver's Lawson Family DATE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1997 At the West Vancouver Senior Activity Centre WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEXT SENIOR CENTRE DAYTIME MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 13,1997 at 1:30 pm At the Senior Activity Centre, 695 21st Street, West Van. Speaker - Mary Chapman, Archives Volunteer Coordinator Subject - The Lawson and Thompson Families HERITAGE WEEK â-  FEBRUARY 16-26, 1997 See insert for information on upcoming events. EDITORIAL COMMENT Does this Issue Look a Little Different? Last minute layout changes arose for a variety of reasons. Our Membership Report will return next month with an update of new members. Several contributions have been postponed. Our appologies to Sandra Grant, Jeannie Moss, Walt Sills, Peter Hall and Norm Leeming. Your items will all appear in our April issue. SPECIAL EVENTS ACTIVITIES â€" A Treasure from the Archives By: David Wardle, Community Archivist The West Vancouver Museum & Archives is home to many archival treasures. Sometimes those treasures are single, discrete items like photos or maps that convey significant information or have a special interest. Other times archival material is distinct because of who created the records or collected them. In the case of the Joseph Bentley Leyland Papers, it is the latter. Joseph Leyland (Joe to his friends) was a dynamic but understated individual who exercised his considerable talents in both West Vancouver’s public and private spheres during the first half of the century. Joseph Leyland was elected to council in 1926 and also served as mayor from 1930 to 1940. This was a special period in West Vancouver’s history; the Lions Gate Bridge was constructed and the British Properties was developed. Leyland was also very active as a private citizen; he was very much involved with the West Vancouver Tennis Club, the Hollybum Pacific Ski Club, the Garibaldi Highway Association and other groups and associations. The Leyland Papers is one of the largest bodies of records in the archives as it occupies approximately six feet of shelf space in ten boxes. An inventory accompanies the Leyland Papers, allowing the researcher to see what is contained within Leyland Papers at a glance. The inventory includes a biographical sketch of Joseph Leyland and a listing of the boxes and contents, file by file. The papers consist of correspondence, journals, photographs, maps, publications and transcripts of speeches, all covering a span of approximately 68 years. Some of the items that stand out are campaign posters from his numerous civic elections, photographs from the opening day of the Lions Gate Bridge and newspapers from the 1920s. J. SKIPPER Best Christmas Party Ever! â€" they keep telling me - and I agree! With assistance from our usual corps of super helpers - who each played their part as well as any “star”; the music, the tinkling of the glasses in the Bar Room, the Refreshment Room ready with Munchies and the Goodies, the Coffee, Tea and the Punch....then we relaxed and enjoyed the party while waiting for Santa to arrive. Santa Waring was back at work in fine shape after his knee surgery, and Santa's Helper, Deborah, did a super job giving out the draw prize gifts. Tom Meglaughlin was in good voice as usual, with Jim Robertson at the piano; they brightened the evening with Christmas spirit. MANY THANKS to each and every one of you who worked all evening to make the party a success; for those who donated for the FOOD BANK, for the music, the rentals and for the Christmas party fund. â€" Just too many of you to list â€" WE ALL KNOW WHO YOU ARE, AND WE APPRECIATE AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Santa says â€" “SEE YOU NEXT CHRISTMAS**â€" and so do I! Laureen Jones - Director, Special Events Santa and Helper, Christmas 1997