Readers of this column and followers of our work as A Sense of History Research Services will know that we devote a lot of attention to images of the past. Images can come in a variety of forms such as photographs, drawings or art, and they frequently provide valuable information as well as the enjoyment of looking at the piece.
For many years we have gathered pictures as research tools and have given presentations for groups who are interested in the stories that can be told through pictures.
People are captivated by the details that can be seen by studying a particular image, as well as by the depth of information that can be obtained by examining a series of close-up photos of a specific scene. Audiences at hundreds of "illustrated talks" have come to enjoy these glimpses into the past.
An interesting example of such a set of images is one of the New Westminster Opera House.
This building stood at the corner of Lorne Street at Victoria Street, which for many years has been an empty corner directly downhill from Douglas College and just across the street from the courthouse.
This Opera House, built just after the city's Great Fire of 1898, operated from the early 1900s until the 1920s, when it was torn down.
An earlier opera house, privately owned by Mr. Herring, did burn in that fire, and over the years there were other theatrical venues for performances, but this later Opera House is the one that usually elicits the majority of questions.
Why? Well, it has an interesting history, noted in some earlier Our Past columns, little is generally known about it, and for many people on tours or at programs, and it is one of the curious accounts in the story of downtown New Westminster.
Another additional curious part of its story is that there is no good full view of the structure's façade or entrance area.
There are bits and pieces to be seen including rooflines, the high stage backdrop area and many wonderful images of the stage sets, curtains and promotional images for specific plays and concerts.
But in general the image of the Opera House in downtown New Westminster is that of a large, imposing, darkfinished structure on the skyline. This was not a building with an attractive exterior, and so it did not appear in photographs.
A popular venue for many public presentations of such photographic collections is the New Westminster Public Library, where the local historical society has, for nearly 40 years, gathered for talks, lectures and slide shows on the history of the area. This Opera House slide set, along with a 1909 Elks Club event and many other views, will be shown at a "miscellaneous history" presentation on Wednesday, Jan. 18 starting at 7: 30 p.m. in the library auditorium.
See you there.
