Central Okanagan Heritage Society

Central Okanagan Heritage Society For more information please visit www.okheritagesociety.com.

The Central Okanagan Heritage Society promotes and participates in the conservation of structural, natural, cultural and horticultural heritage within the Central Okanagan region.

We have limited spots left for Sunday's High Tea at the Bennett Estate....a fun way to spend an afternoon, or to celebra...
09/24/2025

We have limited spots left for Sunday's High Tea at the Bennett Estate....a fun way to spend an afternoon, or to celebrate an occasion! Also, always looking for volunteers to help with these events and other events...send us a message if you are interested!

https://okheritagesociety.com/events-at-the-bennett-estate/

Don't miss the guided tour of the WAC Bennett House this Saturday at 11am! Or partake in Afternoon Tea on Sunday at 2pm...
09/20/2025

Don't miss the guided tour of the WAC Bennett House this Saturday at 11am! Or partake in Afternoon Tea on Sunday at 2pm with a friend or two in this magnificent historic home.
For more information or to register, please visit the COHS website: okheritagesociety.com/events-at-the-bennett-estate/

09/16/2025

Who's joining us for this awesome evening of celebrating community, culture and legacy! Our 2nd Annual Hits for Heritage Fundraiser, this night at the KCT promises high energy, nostalgia.... all for a powerful purpose!
Tickets going fast - grab yours before we are SOLD OUT! https://www.theboxoffice.ca/upcoming-events/trooper


11m

The Benvoulin Church, the first Presbyterian church south of Vernon, was built in 1892 on land donated by developer Geor...
09/15/2025

The Benvoulin Church, the first Presbyterian church south of Vernon, was built in 1892 on land donated by developer George Grant MacKay. MacKay hoped his Benvoulin townsite would thrive with a railway stop, but his death that same year ended the plan, and growth shifted to Bernard Lequime’s Kelowna townsite on Okanagan Lake.

The church was constructed by H.W. Raymer, Kelowna’s first mayor, with lumber from the Lequime family sawmill. Lord and Lady Aberdeen, owners of nearby Guisachan Ranch, also contributed generously.

After more than seventy years of service, the church closed in 1964. Facing neglect and possible demolition, it was saved by local citizens who later formed the Central Okanagan Heritage Society. Their first restoration project, the church was designated a municipal heritage building in 1983. Today, it continues to serve as a venue for community and cultural events.

Learn more:

https://www.communitystories.ca/v1/pm_v2.php?id=exhibit_home&fl=0&lg=English&ex=815

In 1914, Frank and Nell DeHart built Brookside Manor, a stately residence designed in a blend of English Arts and Crafts...
09/14/2025

In 1914, Frank and Nell DeHart built Brookside Manor, a stately residence designed in a blend of English Arts and Crafts and Tudor Revival styles. These architectural choices reflected the period’s fascination with picturesque design and a sense of domestic grandeur. The house quickly became a landmark, embodying both elegance and permanence.

A 1931 sketch of the manor, drawn by their youngest 15 year old daughter, Diana DeHart, captures the home’s early character. The interior was equally considered, with an entryway featuring a marble tile floor inlaid with the house’s name, its construction date, and a letter “D” set within a heart—an enduring emblem of the DeHart family.

By 1936, the house was occupied by Premier W.A.C. Bennett, his wife, May and their three children, Anita, RJ, and Bill. Now known as the Bennett House, it retained much of its original character. A distinctive riverstone band circling the base of the structure remained visible above the foundation, and although the second-storey porch was later enclosed with windows and the side entry into the living room was removed, few other exterior alterations were made. As a result, the building still conveys the strong sense of presence envisioned by its original owners.

The connection to Premier Bennett ties the Bennett House to a broader provincial history. On September 30, 1966, Bennett appeared on the cover of Time magazine, a rare honour that underscored his national prominence. The accompanying story highlighted his long tenure as Premier of British Columbia and his government’s ambitious infrastructure projects, particularly in hydroelectric development and transportation expansion, which fueled a period of prosperity and modernization for the province. W.A.C. Bennett is still B.C.'s longest serving premier (1952 to 1972).

Today, the Bennett House stands not only as a testament to early 20th-century architecture but also as a symbol of the two families who shaped British Columbia’s political and cultural landscape. The painting of WAC for the cover of Time magazine is preserved in the Kelowna Museums collection, ensuring its legacy endures for future generations.

In October 2024, the Bennett House was gifted to the Central Okanagan Heritage Society by the Bennett and Tozer families. COHS has opened up the house to the community for guided tours, afternoon teas, and other events.

***Okanagan Historical Society to Celebrate 100 Years with Centennial Celebration Featuring ChiefClarence Louie*** The O...
09/09/2025

***Okanagan Historical Society to Celebrate 100 Years with Centennial Celebration Featuring Chief
Clarence Louie***

The Okanagan Historical Society (OHS) is thrilled to announce its Centennial Celebration,
taking place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Mary Irwin Theatre (inside the Rotary Centre for
the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna). This landmark event marks 100 years of preserving and sharing
the stories of the Okanagan region.
Doors open at 6:00 pm, welcoming guests with a variety of dessert selections, a cash bar, book sales, a
silent auction, and the opportunity to meet and mingle with history lovers from across the valley. The
evening’s formal program begins at 7:00 pm, featuring cowboy poetry by OHS member Ken Mather,
special acknowledgements, and a compelling keynote address from Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos
Indian Band.
Chief Louie will present on the theme "From Cowboys and Indians to Reconciliation," offering timely
reflections on regional history, Indigenous leadership, and the ongoing journey toward truth and
reconciliation.
“This event is both a celebration of our shared past and a call to continue working together toward a
more inclusive historical understanding,” said Lois Marshall, President of the Okanagan Historical Society.
“We are honoured to welcome Chief Louie and our many friends and supporters as we mark this
important milestone.”
The OHS, incorporated in 1925, is one of British Columbia’s oldest organizations dedicated to preserving
local history. In addition to publishing an annual historical report since the end of the Second World War,
the Society supports a wide variety of heritage-based projects, preservation initiatives, and public
events. It frequently collaborates with museums, archives, and other heritage-focused organizations
throughout the region. Today the Society operates through seven active branches located in Salmon
Arm, Armstrong-Enderby, Vernon, Kelowna, Summerland, Penticton, and Oliver-Osoyoos.
Tickets for the Centennial Celebration are $25 for OHS members and $40 for non-members and are
available now at
https://www.theboxoffice.ca/upcoming-events/centennial-celebration. OHS members must obtain a
coupon code from their local branch to access the member rate. The discount cannot be applied at the
door or online without this code. To find your local branch contact, visit
https://www.okanaganhistoricalsociety.org/branches.php.
In addition to the evening celebration, attendees are invited to the OHS Annual General Meeting, which
will take place from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Okanagan Regional Library – Kelowna Branch (1380 Ellis St.),
located next door to the Rotary Centre for the Arts. The AGM is free and open to the public.

09/08/2025

🎩 Afternoon Tea & Guided Tours at the W.A.C. Bennett House – Fall 2025! ☕🏡

Step back in time this fall at one of Kelowna’s most iconic heritage homes! Enjoy a refined Afternoon Tea experience in the elegant 1914 W.A.C. Bennett House & a captivating Guided Tour through its rich and storied past.

🗓️ Event Schedule:

Afternoon Tea
📅 September 28 & October 26
🕑 2:00 PM

Guided Tours
📅 September 27 & October 25
🕚 11:00 AM

🎟️ Limited spots available – reserve yours today!
🔗 okheritagesociety.com/events-at-the-bennett-estate/

🌿 BONUS: COHS members enjoy exclusive discounts!
Not a member yet? Now’s the perfect time to join and help preserve local heritage.

Don’t miss your chance to experience the timeless charm of the Bennett House — a true must-see in Kelowna!

As the children head back to school today in the Okanagan, remember to watch out for the excited little ones and the sch...
09/02/2025

As the children head back to school today in the Okanagan, remember to watch out for the excited little ones and the school zones....these deer are staying close together at the Bennett Property, nice and peaceful here....

Address

2279 Benvoulin Road
Kelowna, BC
V1W2C8

Telephone

(250) 861-7188

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