Westholme School Project Completed with Heritage Legacy Fund Support

The Westholme Schoolhouse has been restored by an energetic group of community-minded citizens, thanks to a $24,000 grant from the Heritage Legacy Fund.

A Westholme pioneer, Alfred Richards -- whose descendants still live in the area -- donated the one acre of land for the school on the road that led to the famous copper mines of the late 1800s, between Duncan and Chemainus. Built in 1909 using the BC Department of Public Works standard design for the largest single classroom school, construction of the Old Westholme School Building coincided with the non-native settlement of the valley. It is strategically located on the route of the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway, which was completed in 1886.

Westholme was named by Captain Barclay (of the “Barclay Sound” family) who owned two properties in the area; one in Crofton, and one he called his “west home,” which was subsequently corrupted to Westholme.

Westholme School’s primary heritage value is that it is the last remaining public building in the once vibrant community of Westholme. Historically, the area had a community centre, train station, post office (now the BC Forest Discovery Centre), general store, and Anglican and Catholic churches, none of which exist today.

The conservation work underway for the school includes the replacement of roof and perimeter drains, foundation repairs, the installation of storm sash windows, exterior painting, stair, landing and handrail replacement, the refurbishment of all existing windows, and the repair or replacement of exterior siding, trim boards and gutters.