2036 W 13th Ave

The first owners of the 1913 house at 2036 W 13th Avenue were Abner and Gladys Price (1914-1916). Abner worked for the National Finance Company and later started Auto Engineering Works at 146 East Dufferin (E 2nd Ave). In 1970 after a sequence of many owners, the house was turned into “Sunnyholme”, a senior’s residence. In 1973, Emilienne Vezina purchased the house and launched the Aurora Society to provide a haven for women in need. In 1995, the Aurora Society moved to the Women’s Health Centre (Children’s/ Women’s Hospital).

The house was purchased and its owners began an extensive restoration, returning it to a family home with its original floor plan. As much of the interior of the house had been modified for the seniors and women who had lived there, extensive exterior and interior work was done. The restoration of the house includes original fabric, period and custom finishes, reclaiming and reusing building materials saved from demolished Vancouver houses of a similar vintage.

In 1999, the first VHF True Colours workshop was held in the house, and it was the first to be repainted in its original colours: Vancouver Green, Edwardian Buff and Gloss Black.

Source

VHF Heritage House Tour 2003 Brochure