Heritage Home Restoration
Donation protected
In April 2020, a fire raged through this National Historic Site in Victoria, BC, Canada. Firefighters worked tirelessly to contain and put out the fire as quickly as possible, but Muirhead House still suffered severe damage.
The house also sustained substantial water damage due to the firefighting efforts. Left without a roof or any protection for six months after the fire, rain and moisture caused further destruction, especially of the interior, before a temporary roof structure was erected.
The house had fire insurance but the cost to fully restore Muirhead House will far exceed the coverage. The restoration efforts go beyond the structural elements of the house to include unique architectural heritage details both the exterior and interior.
Your donation to this campaign will help fund the restoration of one of these features: the wood panelled front entrance hall.
Once this work is complete, we would like to have the front entrance hall designated a heritage defining element of the house so that it is protected in perpetuity.
The cost for restoring the front entrance hall will be $25,000. Restoration of the panels is extremely labour intensive and will need to be performed by highly experienced conservation and restoration specialists.
Not only do your contributions directly fund this effort, they also help to ensure this tangible piece of history remains in the community.
Designed by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins, Muirhead House exhibits a style that blends elements from two periods: Edwardian and Victorian Queen Anne. It was built by Duncan McBeath in 1903-04 for James McLaren Muirhead, with materials supplied by the company of James' father, Muirhead & Mann Co.
Today, the descendants of James Muirhead still retain close ties to Muirhead House. It is a place that represents the stories of a family and a neighbourhood whose histories are closely intertwined.
Your involvement also helps Jim Lee, who is an integral reason for these restoration efforts. Ever since Jim purchased Muirhead House 44 years ago, he has devoted his life to the restoration and preservation of this treasure.
Jim's efforts were honoured with the Hallmark Society Award for Restoration in 1987, and the house has a City of Victoria heritage designation. Recognition of the architectural value of Muirhead House led to its designation as a National Historic Site in 1991 - one of the few private residences in Canada with this distinction.
Each step in this new restoration process is one step closer to Jim being able to live in his home again. He is on site every day doing everything he can to assist the team at EPIC Project Management as they work to restore Muirhead House.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your donation!
For updates, check back here or visit the website of EPIC Project Management.
The house also sustained substantial water damage due to the firefighting efforts. Left without a roof or any protection for six months after the fire, rain and moisture caused further destruction, especially of the interior, before a temporary roof structure was erected.
The house had fire insurance but the cost to fully restore Muirhead House will far exceed the coverage. The restoration efforts go beyond the structural elements of the house to include unique architectural heritage details both the exterior and interior.
Your donation to this campaign will help fund the restoration of one of these features: the wood panelled front entrance hall.
Once this work is complete, we would like to have the front entrance hall designated a heritage defining element of the house so that it is protected in perpetuity.
The cost for restoring the front entrance hall will be $25,000. Restoration of the panels is extremely labour intensive and will need to be performed by highly experienced conservation and restoration specialists.
Not only do your contributions directly fund this effort, they also help to ensure this tangible piece of history remains in the community.
Designed by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins, Muirhead House exhibits a style that blends elements from two periods: Edwardian and Victorian Queen Anne. It was built by Duncan McBeath in 1903-04 for James McLaren Muirhead, with materials supplied by the company of James' father, Muirhead & Mann Co.
Today, the descendants of James Muirhead still retain close ties to Muirhead House. It is a place that represents the stories of a family and a neighbourhood whose histories are closely intertwined.
Your involvement also helps Jim Lee, who is an integral reason for these restoration efforts. Ever since Jim purchased Muirhead House 44 years ago, he has devoted his life to the restoration and preservation of this treasure.
Jim's efforts were honoured with the Hallmark Society Award for Restoration in 1987, and the house has a City of Victoria heritage designation. Recognition of the architectural value of Muirhead House led to its designation as a National Historic Site in 1991 - one of the few private residences in Canada with this distinction.
Each step in this new restoration process is one step closer to Jim being able to live in his home again. He is on site every day doing everything he can to assist the team at EPIC Project Management as they work to restore Muirhead House.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your donation!
For updates, check back here or visit the website of EPIC Project Management.
Organizer
Ben Schweitzer
Organizer
Victoria, BC
