New Westminster, BC – Irving House will be closed for restoration work from April 2-27, 2018, and will reopen on April 28, 2018, at 12:00 noon. The house’s entrance and upper hall are being restored to the late Victorian Period, revealing papers not seen since the mid-20^th century. 

In 2009, while working with conservator Simone Vogel-Horridge, museum staff found original ca.1897-1903 papers in the entrance and upper hallway of the house — a 3-piece set of consisting of a wallpaper, 18” frieze, and a ceiling paper.  Last year, these stunning papers were meticulously redrawn and colour-matched to the original palette used in the house. They were then printed in England and shipped to New Westminster for installation. The hallway cornice work and entrance ceiling medallion will also be painted to match the original colour scheme as a complement to the papers.

This work is part of an ongoing multi-year project to stabilize and restore Irving House to its original appearance at the turn of the 20^th century. Since 2011, Irving House has received a new fire and electrical system along with a state of the art geothermal heating and cooling system. The exterior of the house has also been repaired and repainted to match the original ca.1900 colour scheme.  Last fall, Ms. Vogel-Horridge returned to clean and restore the rare and original gilded 1887 wallpapers in the house’s Small Parlour and will be returning spring to do the same in the Large Parlour.  All work will be completed in time for our annual Mother’s Day teas and the Heritage Homes Tour at the end of May. 

Irving House will open again to the public on April 28, 2018, at 12:00 noon. Please come by and enjoy a personal tour with one of our costumed guides.

For further information on this project contact the New Westminster Museum and Archives at or 604-527-4640.

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Contacts:      

Rob McCullough, Manager, New Westminster Museum and Archives
or 604-527-4639