The W.J. Mathers House 'Altnadene', is a two-and-one-half storey wood frame house set in a large terraced garden, now located in Deer Lake Park. Built as a family home, it is designed in the British Arts and Crafts style enriched by Tudor, Romanesque, and medieval details.
The W.J. Mathers House 'Altnadene', is a two-and-one-half storey wood frame house set in a large terraced garden, now located in Deer Lake Park. Built as a family home, it is designed in the British Arts and Crafts style enriched by Tudor, Romanesque, and medieval details.
Heritage Value
'Altnadene' was constructed in the Deer Lake Crescent subdivision, which was originally promoted as an upper class neighbourhood. It represents one of the first residential developments in the City of Burnaby that required buildings to be of a specific value, thus demonstrating the desire for exclusivity among the successful businessmen who chose to settle in the area. The house and grounds illustrate the social, cultural, lifestyle and leisure sensibilities of the owners in the Deer Lake Crescent subdivision: such values as social aspiration, racial exclusivity, demonstration of architectural taste, importance of a landscaped garden, and the provision of facilities for fashionable pursuits such as lawn tennis.
The estate is historically significant for its connection to William John Mathers (1859-1929), an early pioneer who arrived in New Westminster in 1876, an enterprising grain dealer, businessman, alderman, president of the Board of Trade and various other local organizations, and a 'public spirited and progressive citizen.'
Designed for Mathers and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Jane (Whelan) Mathers (1869-1939), by Burnaby architect Frank William Macey (1863-1935), the Arts and Crafts style of the Mathers House contributes to the overall stylistic ambiance of the collection of homes now preserved in Deer Lake Park, displaying an eclectic array of details that give it a unique identity. The first resident architect in Burnaby, Macey was born and trained in England where he was well-respected for having published two standard texts for the architectural profession. He settled in Burnaby in the first decade of the twentieth century and obtained a number of commissions from prominent businessmen who were building grand homes in the new community of Deer Lake. He designed mostly in the British Arts and Crafts style and introduced the use of rough-cast stucco for building exteriors, a characteristic for which he was renowned.
The house also has an important connection to Burnaby’s history as it later served as a convalescent home for soldiers wounded on the battlefront during the First World War. Indicative of the evolving functionality of the site, a classroom wing was added in 1939 after Benedictine Monks acquired the house and it was operated as the Seminary of Christ the King.
Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of 'Altnadene' include its:
- prominent corner location within a park setting, in relation to the Anderson residence
- irregular form and massing
- irregular roof line, including a central pyramidal hipped section and open gable ends to front and sides, with cedar shingle cladding
- exterior of rough-cast stucco and half-timbering
- eclectic exterior details such as the Tudor arches of the verandah; and the medieval crenellations of the tower
- mixture of double-hung and casement, with transom, wooden-sash windows
- massive chimneys of Clayburn firebrick
- surviving interior details such as fireplaces, doors and leaded glass
- wrought iron gates, massive gate-posts inscribed with 'Altnadene' and granite walls at the corner entry of the property
The gate and wall of the W.J. Mathers House 'Altnadene' form an integral part of the heritage character of this historic estate, which includes a two-and-one-half storey wood frame house set in a large terraced garden, now located in Deer Lake Park. Built as a family home, it is designed in the Bri…
The gate and wall of the W.J. Mathers House 'Altnadene' form an integral part of the heritage character of this historic estate, which includes a two-and-one-half storey wood frame house set in a large terraced garden, now located in Deer Lake Park. Built as a family home, it is designed in the British Arts and Crafts style enriched by Tudor, Romanesque, and medieval details.
Heritage Value
'Altnadene' was constructed in the Deer Lake Crescent subdivision, which was originally promoted as an upper class neighbourhood. It represents one of the first residential developments in the City of Burnaby that required buildings to be of a specific value, thus demonstrating the desire for exclusivity among the successful businessmen who chose to settle in the area. The house and grounds illustrate the social, cultural, lifestyle and leisure sensibilities of the owners in the Deer Lake Crescent subdivision: such values as social aspiration, racial exclusivity, demonstration of architectural taste, importance of a landscaped garden, and the provision of facilities for fashionable pursuits such as lawn tennis.
The estate is historically significant for its connection to William John Mathers (1859-1929), an early pioneer who arrived in New Westminster in 1876, an enterprising grain dealer, businessman, alderman, president of the Board of Trade and various other local organizations, and a 'public spirited and progressive citizen.'
The landscape of the estate featured a landmark granite capstone wall and wrought iron gate surrounding the front garden and terraced lawns of the mansion. The overall architectural intention was to reference medieval English estates by surrounding the ‘castle’ with a stone wall with gated entrances. The stone material for the construction of the wall was quarried from large ‘glacial erratic’ granite boulders found on the property. The highly decorative wrought iron gate was designed and made by artisan James A. Blair, a Scottish blacksmith employed by the Westminster Iron Works in 1912. The design for the 'double' driveway gate was featured in the company’s original catalogue as 'Design No. 152'. These gates are a very unusual and rare example of their type and are some of the most elaborate surviving examples in the City.
Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the gate and wall at 'Altnadene' include its:
- wrought iron gates, massive gate-posts inscribed with 'Altnadene' and granite walls at the corner entry of the property
1 photograph : sepia ; 16.1 x 21.3 cm mounted on 25.1 x 30.1 cm cardboard
Scope and Content
Photograph of Deer Lake. An earlier catalogue record from 1988 notes that the view is of the north shore of Deer Lake, looking northeast. Also noted is that the Hart's boathouse is in view at the mouth of Deer Lake Brook, and that the Anderson and Mather houses on can be seen on Deer Lake Avenue.
1 photograph : sepia ; 16.1 x 21.3 cm mounted on 25.1 x 30.1 cm cardboard
Description Level
Item
Record No.
044-011
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of Deer Lake. An earlier catalogue record from 1988 notes that the view is of the north shore of Deer Lake, looking northeast. Also noted is that the Hart's boathouse is in view at the mouth of Deer Lake Brook, and that the Anderson and Mather houses on can be seen on Deer Lake Avenue.
1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 16.0 x 20.9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Deer Lake. An earlier catalogue record from 1988 notes that the view is of the north shore of Deer Lake, looking northeast. Also noted is that the Hart's boathouse is in view at the mouth of Deer Lake Brook, and that the Anderson and Mathers houses on can be seen on Deer Lake Avenue
1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 16.0 x 20.9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Deer Lake. An earlier catalogue record from 1988 notes that the view is of the north shore of Deer Lake, looking northeast. Also noted is that the Hart's boathouse is in view at the mouth of Deer Lake Brook, and that the Anderson and Mathers houses on can be seen on Deer Lake Avenue
1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 16.4 x 21.2 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the north shore of Deer Lake as seen from the south shore. According to an earlier 1988 catalogue record, in view from left to right are: H.T. Ceperley's "Fairacres," The Mathers "Altnadene," and the Anderson house on the hill. On shoreline are the Hart's boathouse and beach cottage…
1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 16.4 x 21.2 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the north shore of Deer Lake as seen from the south shore. According to an earlier 1988 catalogue record, in view from left to right are: H.T. Ceperley's "Fairacres," The Mathers "Altnadene," and the Anderson house on the hill. On shoreline are the Hart's boathouse and beach cottage and the Woodward's boathouse.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.1 x 4.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.6 x 26.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Mathers house decorated as a Fantasy Castle. This was a joint effort of Scouts, Guides, Rangers, Venturers, and Rovers. It was open for one week and close to 10,000 children visited it.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.1 x 4.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.6 x 26.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-763
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Mathers house decorated as a Fantasy Castle. This was a joint effort of Scouts, Guides, Rangers, Venturers, and Rovers. It was open for one week and close to 10,000 children visited it.
Photograph of the Mathers House, Deer Lake. This house was also known as Altnadene and was designed by architect Frank Macey and built for William and Mary Mathers in 1912. In 1939, the Benedictine Monks converted the mansion into the Seminary of Christ the King which operated until 1953. In 1971…
Photograph of the Mathers House, Deer Lake. This house was also known as Altnadene and was designed by architect Frank Macey and built for William and Mary Mathers in 1912. In 1939, the Benedictine Monks converted the mansion into the Seminary of Christ the King which operated until 1953. In 1971, Burnaby purchased the building for use as part of the Arts Centre and designated it as a heritage property in 1992.
Photograph of part of the exterior of Mathers House (Altnadene). Mathers House was built in 1912 and purchased by Burnaby in 1971 for use as part of the James Cowan Centre, now the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. The photograph is taken facing west and shows the house's verandah and tower.
Photograph of part of the exterior of Mathers House (Altnadene). Mathers House was built in 1912 and purchased by Burnaby in 1971 for use as part of the James Cowan Centre, now the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. The photograph is taken facing west and shows the house's verandah and tower.
Photograph of the Mathers house in 1912. There is a family (perhaps the W.J. Mathers family) sitting on the stone-walled patio. Note the electric power pole to the right side of the photograph located close to the house. The house is now part of the Deer Lake Park Complex and is used for various ar…
Photograph of the Mathers house in 1912. There is a family (perhaps the W.J. Mathers family) sitting on the stone-walled patio. Note the electric power pole to the right side of the photograph located close to the house. The house is now part of the Deer Lake Park Complex and is used for various artistic and cultural activities. According to a note prepared by Kathleen and Eileen Mather, the house otherwise known as "Altnadene" was built in 1911-1912 for Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Mathers of New Westminster by architect F.W. Macey who lived on Douglas Road. The house was occupied by the family from late-1912 until mid-1935. The original photographs have been taken by professional photographers.
Photograph of the Mathers house with two children on the stone-walled patio and a girl on the lawn. The house is now part of the Deer Lake Park Complex and is used for various artistic and cultural activities. According to a note prepared by Kathleen and Eileen Mathers, the house otherwise known as…
Photograph of the Mathers house with two children on the stone-walled patio and a girl on the lawn. The house is now part of the Deer Lake Park Complex and is used for various artistic and cultural activities. According to a note prepared by Kathleen and Eileen Mathers, the house otherwise known as "Altnadene" was built in 1911-1912 for Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Mathers of New Westminster by architect F.W. Macey who lived on Douglas Road. The house was occupied by the family from late-1912 until mid-1935. he original photographs have been taken by professional photographers. The accession register dates the photograph ca. 1913 while the inscription dates it 1916. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Altnadara [sic] 1916."
Photograph of the Mathers house in 1935. The house is now part of the Deer Lake Park Complex and is used for various artistic and cultural activities. According to a note prepared by Kathleen and Eileen Mathers, the house otherwise known as "Altnadene" was built in 1911-1912 for Mr. and Mrs. W.J. …
Photograph of the Mathers house in 1935. The house is now part of the Deer Lake Park Complex and is used for various artistic and cultural activities. According to a note prepared by Kathleen and Eileen Mathers, the house otherwise known as "Altnadene" was built in 1911-1912 for Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Mathers of New Westminster by architect F.W. Macey who lived on Douglas Road. The house was occupied by the family from late-1912 until mid-1935. The original photographs have been taken by professional photographers. The accession register dates the photograph ca. 1935 while the inscription dates it late-1920's. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "late '20s."
Photograph of the rear exterior of Mathers House (Altnadene), which was purchased by Burnaby in 1971 for use as part of the James Cowan Centre, now the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. The photograph is taken facing southeast.
Photograph of the rear exterior of Mathers House (Altnadene), which was purchased by Burnaby in 1971 for use as part of the James Cowan Centre, now the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. The photograph is taken facing southeast.