Projects > Sarah Wray Heritage Hall History
SARAH WRAY HALL
(Formerly Irvines Landing School)
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Historic Sarah Wray Hall
in Garden Bay Built in 1931, the former Irvines Landing School was restored by Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society volunteers (with the help of many others) from 2012-2014 and is one of B.C.'s last remaining one-room schoolhouses.
Renamed Sarah Wray Hall after a local pioneer, the hall is open as a community meeting place all year and as a museum during the summer months, when you can drop in and see displays and artifacts! LOCATION
Sarah Wray Heritage Hall c/o Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society 4334 Irvines Landing Rd. (at Hotel Lake Rd.) Garden Bay, BC [Map] |
Book Sarah Wray Hall for your next event!
Seating capacity of 50 people, full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, wheelchair accessible, tables, chairs available. For more details, see our availability calendar. |
Sarah Wray Hall is open this season!
We're open to the public on select days throughout the spring and summer. See the schedule below and on Facebook.
SCHEDULE:
Feb. 23 and 24, 2023 from 10 am - 3 pm
More dates coming soon.
Feb. 23 and 24, 2023 from 10 am - 3 pm
More dates coming soon.
Photo Gallery
Restoration Project Overview
Irvines Landing School, April 2008, restoration project initialization.
In 2015 Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society completed the revitalization of the old Irvines Landing School building. Under the direction of Leonard Lee (a student there in the 1950s), many volunteers worked their magic to save the old building.
The centre is now a gathering place, a venue for events, heritage courses and rotating displays of artifacts and archived material from the Pender Harbour area.
More reading
In May 2008, Brian Lee, publisher of The Harbour Spiel, wrote a wonderful piece about the school, including its history, stories from locals, and archive photos. View the feature from the Harbour Spiel (pdf).
The centre is now a gathering place, a venue for events, heritage courses and rotating displays of artifacts and archived material from the Pender Harbour area.
More reading
In May 2008, Brian Lee, publisher of The Harbour Spiel, wrote a wonderful piece about the school, including its history, stories from locals, and archive photos. View the feature from the Harbour Spiel (pdf).
Ways to help
To help with maintenance and upkeep of Sarah Wray Heritage Centre or to show your support, you can become a member of the Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society, donate, or volunteer your time and talents. If you have pictures, stories, or memorabilia from the school or Pender Harbour area, please get in touch!
To help with maintenance and upkeep of Sarah Wray Heritage Centre or to show your support, you can become a member of the Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society, donate, or volunteer your time and talents. If you have pictures, stories, or memorabilia from the school or Pender Harbour area, please get in touch!
Restoration Photo Gallery 2008-2015
The Boatbuilding workshop
Thank you to the Pender Harbour Rotary Club
for their continued and generous support on all of the Pender Harbour Living Heritage Centre projects! 
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Sarah Wray Heritage Building Project Lead Leonard Lee is interviewed by Canadian Framelines, Feb. 4, 2013
Past News
Open House: Feb. 28, 2015, 1-4pm
Everyone was invited to come celebrate the grand re-opening of the old Irvines Landing schoolhouse, now called Sarah Wray Heritage Centre. Visitors toured the renovated historic building, viewed heritage displays and enjoyed refreshments.
View the photo gallery
View the photo gallery
May 2014: The School is looking nice!
Things are coming along, inside and outside, now that warmer weather here. Inside, the floor has been refinished, the window shades are installed, door and window trims are done, the office has windows. Outside, the volunteers have been installing hardiboard and battens, metal roof on the workshop annex and exterior painting.
December 2013: We're getting closer!
A concrete skim coat now seals the crawl space; the main room and washrooms have their final paint coats. Still to be done are floor refinishing, millwork, back porch roofing, exterior finishing and landscaping. Much of this work should be completed by March 31, 2014. People have very kindly donated many kitchen items and the space is very functional. We are looking for coat racks for 40-50 people. If you have any to donate, please let us know.
May 2013: On schedule for completion!
Sarah Wray Heritage Centre is getting closer to completion thanks to all the hardworking volunteers and to our financial supporters. The building is now a solid structure with a new foundation and structural elements, new windows and washrooms, and is handicap accessible. Insulation is in, drywall is up and painted, kitchen is installed, windows are trimmed. We found hanging schoolhouse lights, just like in the old days. Even the scotch broom has been removed from the yard! Scroll down to see a project slideshow.
Things are coming along, inside and outside, now that warmer weather here. Inside, the floor has been refinished, the window shades are installed, door and window trims are done, the office has windows. Outside, the volunteers have been installing hardiboard and battens, metal roof on the workshop annex and exterior painting.
December 2013: We're getting closer!
A concrete skim coat now seals the crawl space; the main room and washrooms have their final paint coats. Still to be done are floor refinishing, millwork, back porch roofing, exterior finishing and landscaping. Much of this work should be completed by March 31, 2014. People have very kindly donated many kitchen items and the space is very functional. We are looking for coat racks for 40-50 people. If you have any to donate, please let us know.
May 2013: On schedule for completion!
Sarah Wray Heritage Centre is getting closer to completion thanks to all the hardworking volunteers and to our financial supporters. The building is now a solid structure with a new foundation and structural elements, new windows and washrooms, and is handicap accessible. Insulation is in, drywall is up and painted, kitchen is installed, windows are trimmed. We found hanging schoolhouse lights, just like in the old days. Even the scotch broom has been removed from the yard! Scroll down to see a project slideshow.
Jan. 8, 2013: Federal Funding Announced!
MP John Weston visited the Sarah Wray Heritage Centre on January 8, 2013 to announce federal funding of $49,551 to support the completion of the restoration project. Read more in the local news coverage, and scroll down to see photos from the event.
January 14, 2013: President's Message
- Elaine Park, Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society
MP John Weston visited the Sarah Wray Heritage Centre on January 8, 2013 to announce federal funding of $49,551 to support the completion of the restoration project. Read more in the local news coverage, and scroll down to see photos from the event.
January 14, 2013: President's Message
- Elaine Park, Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society
Funding in Place
JANUARY 8, 2013: Federal Funding Announcement Event With MP John Weston
More Funding News Coverage
January 11, 2013: Restoring a piece of history
- The Coast Reporter
January 9, 2013: Funding announcement on the Sunshine Coast!
- MP John Weston
January 9, 2013: Federal funding lands in Irvines Landing
- 91.7 CoastFM (CKAY)
THANK YOU!
We acknowledge the financial and service support of the following companies and organizations:
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Thank you for keeping our grounds tidy!
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We also acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.
