Central Okanagan Heritage Society

Name: Central Okanagan Heritage Society
Address: Kelowna, BC, CA
Telephone: (250) 861-7188

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Kelowna, BC
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.

09/06/2026

Happy Labour Day Weekend!

Today we celebrate the workers who helped build Canada’s communities, industries, and social progress. Labour Day became a national holiday in 1894, following decades of organizing by Canadian workers who advocated for fair hours, safer workplaces, and stronger rights.

It’s a day to recognize the contributions of those who shaped our country — past and present — and to appreciate the hard work that continues to support our communities today.

Wishing everyone a safe, relaxing, and meaningful Labour Day long weekend!

09/04/2026

Love heritage? Enjoy helping at events?

We are looking for volunteers at Brookside Manor as we gear up for a busy season of tours and tea gatherings!

If you enjoy welcoming visitors, supporting local history, and being part of a warm community, we’d love to have you join our volunteer team.

Your involvement helps keep our heritage spaces thriving and our events memorable.

Please message here or send an email through our website if you are able to help out!

09/02/2026

HERITAGE HOUSE FEATURES:

The Cookson House isn’t just significant for its story — it’s a beautiful example of the architectural features that define Kelowna’s interwar heritage homes. Built in 1929, this one‑and‑one‑half‑storey Arts and Crafts cottage showcases the craftsmanship and design traditions that shaped the Abbott Street neighborhood.

One of its most striking features is the steeply pitched cross‑gabled roof, a hallmark of the Arts and Crafts style. This roofline gives the home its distinctive silhouette and reflects the practical, handcrafted approach of the era.

The exterior combines stucco cladding with wood half‑timbering, adding texture and visual interest to the gable ends. These details were considered signs of good taste during the interwar period, when identifiable architectural styles were highly valued.

The home’s multi‑paned wooden‑sash windows — including 3‑over‑1, 4‑over‑1, and 8‑over‑1 configurations — bring character and warmth to the façade. Their asymmetrical placement is intentional, reflecting the Arts and Crafts belief that homes should feel personal and handcrafted rather than rigidly uniform.

A cobblestone‑clad foundation, decorative brackets, window boxes, and a glazed front door with dentil detailing complete the picture, making the Cookson House a standout example of Kelowna’s early residential architecture.

These features remind us that heritage isn’t just about age — it’s about the craftsmanship, materials, and design choices that give a home its identity.

09/01/2026

We just released 15 more tickets for our 3rd Annual Hits for Heritage Fundraiser!!!!! If you missed out, now's your second chance!!

08/30/2026

HISTORY IN THE HERITAGE:

Built in 1929, the Cookson House is a classic example of Kelowna’s interwar architecture — a one‑and‑one‑half‑storey Arts and Crafts cottage that reflects the city’s growth during the fruit‑industry boom of the 1920s and 1930s.

Designed and built by Robert Rowley (1862–1939), one of Kelowna’s prominent early contractors, the home showcases the craftsmanship and stylistic detail that defined the era: a steep cross‑gabled roof, stucco cladding with wood half‑timbering, multi‑paned windows, and a cobblestone‑clad foundation.

The house was constructed for Albert Edward Cookson (1905–1981), an employee — and later secretary‑treasurer — of Rowcliffe Canning, at the time of his marriage to Mary Windsor Roberts. Their home stands as a reminder of the economic optimism of the period, when Kelowna’s expanding fruit industry drove residential development and shaped neighborhoods like Abbott Street.

Today, the Cookson House remains a charming part of the Abbott Street Heritage Conservation Area — a neighborhood filled with historic homes that tell the story of Kelowna’s early growth and evolving identity.

08/27/2026

🦌✨ How many deer do YOU see hiding in the gardens?

This scenic moment feels almost too beautiful to be real — but it is!

We invite you to experience the charm of the Bennett Heritage House with an upcoming Guided Tour or High Tea Seating. Explore the heritage, learn the history, and enjoy a beautiful visit at this treasured site in the heart of Kelowna.

We’d love to welcome you!

08/25/2026

HERITAGE HOUSE FEATURES:

The house is a 1½‑storey, stucco‑clad Arts‑and‑Crafts residence built in 1936, located in Kelowna’s Abbott Street Heritage Conservation Area. Its gentle historicism — inspired by British vernacular traditions and the late‑19th‑century Arts and Crafts movement — gives the home a timeless character without being overly revivalist.

Architecturally, the home stands out for its steeply‑pitched gabled roof, covered recessed porch, wood‑sash double‑hung windows, and well‑maintained beige stucco exterior that contrasts beautifully with its dark trim. Mature plantings and a low box hedge further enhance its historic charm and strong visual appeal.

A beautiful example of Kelowna’s interwar architecture — and a reminder of the city’s early residential development.

08/23/2026

HISTORY IN THE HERITAGE:

The house is a 1½‑storey stucco‑clad Arts‑and‑Crafts residence built in 1936, located in the heart of the Abbott Street Heritage Conservation Area. It stands out for its architecture, craftsmanship, and its strong visual contribution to one of Kelowna’s most historic neighborhoods .

This home was designed and built by George L. Dore, a stonemason who arrived in Kelowna in 1918 . When his wife’s sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ryan, moved to Kelowna in 1920, Dore and Ryan formed a contracting partnership that shaped early Kelowna’s built environment. Together, they constructed the DeHart Primary School, Kelowna Junior High School, and numerous residences across the city . Their legacy is still visible today in Doryan Street, named by combining their two surnames .

The house was likely rented to tenants in its early years, later becoming the business office of G.L. Dore and Son in the 1940s . By 1956, it was home to J.B. Lander, general sales manager of B.C. Tree Fruits Ltd., reflecting Kelowna’s thriving fruit industry and its influence on local development .

08/20/2026

PLEASE HELP US GET THE WORD OUT! Looking for a new caretaker for our beautiful Benvoulin site for October 2026! All details on our website...will be contacting applicants next week to start interview process-thank you!

08/18/2026

HERITAGE HOUSE FEATURES:

The Knowles House's heritage character is defined by its strategic location within Kelowna's historic North Central neighbourhood, situated in a municipal park at the corner of Bernard Avenue and Ethel Street.

Its residential form, scale, and massing are exemplified by its one-storey height, bellcast pyramidal roof, semi-octagonal projecting bay on the front elevation, inset front porch, and early additions at the rear and west side with hipped roofs. The property's wood-frame construction is showcased through its double-bevelled wooden siding, wooden trim, and details, as well as its cedar shingle roof covering. The Edwardian-era details, including square porch columns, closed soffits, and window crown trim, add to the property's charm.

The windows, comprising 1-over-1 double-hung windows in single and double assembly, transom above the front door, and fixed window in the front bay with diamond-patterned muntins, are a notable feature. The internal red-brick chimney, original oak paneled front door with glazing, and original door at the rear with wood panelling and multi-paned glazing are also significant elements.

The associated landscape features, including mature deciduous and coniferous trees, complete the property's heritage character!

Address

Kelowna, BC

Telephone

(250) 861-7188

Website

http://www.okheritagesociety.com/

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