H.T. Ceperley Estate 'Fairacres' Mansion
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- 'Fairacres' is a large, two-and-one-half storey estate house in the British Arts and Crafts style, located in Deer Lake Park, with four associated original outbuildings.
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Other Names
- Henry Tracy & Grace Ceperley Estate
- Burnaby Art Gallery
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- Henry Tracy & Grace Ceperley Estate
- Burnaby Art Gallery
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 9807
- Enactment Date
- 23/11/1992
- Description
- 'Fairacres' is a large, two-and-one-half storey estate house in the British Arts and Crafts style, located in Deer Lake Park, with four associated original outbuildings.
- Heritage Value
- 'Fairacres' is important as a record of the early years of Burnaby, specifically the Deer Lake area, as a place of tranquility and beautiful scenery in which the wealthy and successful in the burgeoning cities of New Westminster and Vancouver chose to retire or to make their family homes. The main house, which anchors in style and setting the outbuildings on the estate, demonstrates the social, cultural, and aesthetic values of local wealthy businessmen and women of the early twentieth century - values such as appreciation of architectural elegance and grand interior spaces, leisure and recreation, formal landscaped gardens and scenic views.
Also important is the association with the English-born and trained architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917), as this was one of his grandest residential commissions. Steeped in the current architectural trends in Great Britain, Fripp designed this sprawling mansion in the Arts and Crafts style, reflected in the architectural detailing and proportions. The style was common at the time and was often used for estate mansions as a symbol of affluence and good, modern taste as well as an affinity for all things British. Quality is displayed inside and out in the finishes and materials, orchestrated by prominent local contractor, James Charles Allen, including imported English materials of specific value such as imported Medmenham tiles in the fireplace surrounds, one of the earliest documented use of these tiles outside the United Kingdom. Detailed features of the interior woodwork were carved by Scottish-born master wood carver George Selkirk Gibson (1867-1942), who was best known for his many commissions for prominent British Columbia architect Samuel Maclure.
The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are an important record of the functioning of a large estate of the time. The Garage and Stables and the Chauffeur’s Cottage accommodated the use of automobiles, horses and carriages, and in concert with the estate's location near the new British Columbia Electric Railway 'Burnaby Lake' interurban line, illustrate the evolving nature of regional transportation and the growing bedroom communities and estates made possible by increasing options for transportation. Other outbuildings accommodated the agricultural activities that helped support the Ceperley estate.
The estate was conceived and funded by American-born Grace E. Dixon Ceperley (1863-1917), who had achieved significant wealth through a bequest from her brother-in-law, Vancouver pioneer Arthur Ferguson. Her husband, Henry Tracy Ceperley (1850-1929), also American-born, was a successful and well-respected businessman who made a significant contribution to the development of the City of Vancouver. The construction of 'Fairacres' spawned the transformation of the Deer Lake area from a farming community into a preferred location for elite suburban homes.
'Fairacres' is significant to the City of Burnaby as its first civic heritage conservation project. Acquired in 1966 for conversion to Burnaby’s first art gallery, it was dedicated in 1967 to mark Canada’s Centennial of Confederation.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements that define the heritage character of the ‘Fairacres’ mansion include its:
- setting in relation to the gardens, its former market garden, and the vistas to Deer Lake and other grand homes in the area
- side gable roof with prominent dormers and cedar shingle cladding
- verandah across the eastern (garden) facade, with its view over the landscaped gardens and the distant mountains
- porte cochere with its side steps for those arriving by automobile, and central raised step for those alighting from horse-drawn carriages
- rich variety of exterior elements that demonstrate the typical Arts and Crafts use of local materials such as cobble stone chimneys and foundations, wide wooden siding and half-timbering
- mixture of double-hung and casement wooden-sash windows, many with multi-paned sash
- lavish interior spaces, designed for entertaining on a grand scale, including a billiard room with a beamed ceiling and an inglenook fireplace, and generous living and dining rooms arranged off a central hall
- quality of the interior materials such as imported Medmenham tiles in fireplace surrounds, window hardware by Hope and Sons, and leaded stained glass
- interior wood work including the staircase, and carvings by George Selkirk Gibson
- remaining formal Edwardian garden landscape elements, including the cross-axial plan that reflects the relationship of the mansion to its 'outdoor rooms'
- Locality
- Deer Lake Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Architect
- Robert Mackay Fripp
- Builder
- James Charles Allen
- George Selkirk Gibson
- Function
- Primary Current--Museum
- Primary Historic--Estate
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D. No. 004-493-311
Legal Description: Block 3 Except: Part subdivided by Plan 26865, District Lot 79, Group 1, New Westminster District, Plan 536
- Boundaries
- ‘Fairacres’ is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.
- Area
- 17,065.00
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Landscape Feature
- Ownership
- Public (local)
- Other Collection
- City of Burnaby, Visual Art Collection: Original rendering by R.P.S. Twizell
Burnaby Historical Society, Community Archives: Ceperley Photograph Album
Burnaby Village Museum, Collection: Carved dining room panels by G.S. Gibson and other hardware items
- Documentation
- Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2
- Names
- Ceperley, Grace
- Ceperley, H.T.
- Fripp, Robert Mackay
- Allen, James Charles
- Gibson, George Selkirk
- Subjects
- Buildings - Heritage
- Buildings - Residential - Houses
- Buildings - Residential
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Less detail
H.T. Ceperley Estate 'Fairacres' Chauffeur's Cottage
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the Chauffeur's Cottage is situated across from the main entrance to the Ceperley Mansion, and adjacent to the Garage and Stables. A long, narrow single-storey building, it was constructed by joining together two modest estate cottages.
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 9807
- Enactment Date
- 23/11/1992
- Description
- Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the Chauffeur's Cottage is situated across from the main entrance to the Ceperley Mansion, and adjacent to the Garage and Stables. A long, narrow single-storey building, it was constructed by joining together two modest estate cottages.
- Heritage Value
- The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are a rare surviving architecturally designed ensemble of agricultural structures that exist in complementary harmony with the main estate house. Architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917) was retained by the Ceperleys to design several original outbuildings on their estate at the same time as the main house was constructed.
The Chauffeur's Cottage illustrates the increasing importance of the automobile in the lives of the wealthy of the early twentieth century. It also demonstrates Grace and Henry Tracy Ceperley's social aspirations and grand-country-estate pretension in having a chauffeur. The cottage's location - close to the garage and convenient, but not adjacent, to the main house - enhances the grand country house landscape design and contributes to the overall composition of the estate's plan.
The Arts and Crafts styled Chauffeur's Cottage is important as an indicator of the aesthetic and social sensibilities of the Ceperley family in retaining an architect to design a modest building for staff accommodation.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements that define the heritage character of the 'Fairacres' Chauffeur's Cottage include its:
- location, in relation to the main house and in close proximity to the Garage and Stables buildings
- side gable roof with cedar shingle cladding
- Arts and Crafts architectural features such as the jerkin-headed door hood, a reference to the thatched-roofed cottages of southern England; eight-paned wooden-sash casement windows; and cedar-shingled exterior
- two internal brick chimneys
- modest, functional interior, with simple trim and lack of pretension
- Locality
- Deer Lake Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Architect
- Robert Mackay Fripp
- Function
- Primary Historic--Outbuilding
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D. No. 004-493-311
Legal Description: Block 3 Except: Part subdivided by Plan 26865, District Lot 79, Group 1, New Westminster District, Plan 536
- Boundaries
- ‘Fairacres’ is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.
- Area
- 17,065.00
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Landscape Feature
- Ownership
- Public (local)
- Other Collection
- Burnaby Historical Society, Community Archives: Ceperley Photograph Album
Burnaby Village Museum, Collection: Chinese ‘Tiger Whiskey’ and opium bottles found during restoration
- Documentation
- Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2
- Names
- Ceperley, H.T.
- Ceperley, Grace
- Fripp, Robert Mackay
- Subjects
- Buildings - Heritage
- Buildings - Residential - Cottages
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
Less detail
H.T. Ceperley Estate 'Fairacres' Garage & Stables
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the ‘Fairacres’ Garage and Stables is a two-storey wood frame building located on the 'Fairacres' estate, situated to the north of the Chauffeur's Cottage; at the south end of the structure is a single vehicle garage and to the north are several stable…
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 9807
- Enactment Date
- 23/11/1992
- Description
- Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the ‘Fairacres’ Garage and Stables is a two-storey wood frame building located on the 'Fairacres' estate, situated to the north of the Chauffeur's Cottage; at the south end of the structure is a single vehicle garage and to the north are several stables for carriage, riding, and draught horses, a coach house, and tack room; the upper floor was originally a hay loft.
- Heritage Value
- The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are a rare surviving architecturally designed ensemble of agricultural structures that exist in complementary harmony with the main estate house. Architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917) was retained by the Ceperleys to design several original outbuildings on their estate at the same time as the main house was constructed.
The Garage and Stables building is important as a record of its era when transportation modes were in transition and the horse-drawn carriage, while still in use, was giving way to the automobile. The relative spatial arrangements within the building are a valuable indication of the economy of space associated with the automobile, as compared to the horse. The extent of the stabling arrangements signifies not only the use of carriage horses but also the continued reliance on draught horses in farming activities in this era. As well, it is an indication of the fashionable nature of equestrianism for wealthy families during this time.
The building is important as a demonstration of the aesthetics of the Ceperley family in having an architect-designed outbuilding and obtaining craftsmanship and materials of the highest quality for each structure on their estate.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements that define the heritage character of the 'Fairacres' Garage and Stables include its:
- location within easy reach of the main house and in close proximity to the Chauffeur's Cottage
- floor plan with the garage at one end, close to the Chauffeur's Cottage, and stables and equine facilities at the other
- variety and complexity of the roofline, including gable wall dormers, gable-on-hip roof ends, and half-hip extensions
- Arts and Crafts architectural features of the exterior such as the shingle wall cladding articulated with a chevron-patterned course of shingles at the first floor level; casement windows; and deep eaves with additional purlins to support the overhang
- original stable doors with hand-made forged-iron door hardware
- multi-paned wooden-sash windows, some retaining original wire glass
- Locality
- Deer Lake Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Architect
- Robert Mackay Fripp
- Function
- Primary Historic--Outbuilding
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D. No. 004-493-311
Legal Description: Block 3 Except: Part subdivided by Plan 26865, District Lot 79, Group 1, New Westminster District, Plan 536
- Boundaries
- ‘Fairacres’ is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.
- Area
- 17,065.00
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Landscape Feature
- Ownership
- Public (local)
- Other Collection
- Burnaby Historical Society, Community Archives: Ceperley Photograph Album
- Documentation
- Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2
- Names
- Ceperley, H.T.
- Ceperley, Grace
- Fripp, Robert Mackay
- Subjects
- Buildings - Agricultural - Stables
- Buildings - Heritage
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Less detail
Island Shore
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1908 and 1911]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.4 x 9.8 cm mounted on paper 13.6 x 18.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified shoreline as seen from the water. Houses and a church with a steeple are visible.
Riverway East School and Dundonald Church
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1911 and 1919]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 12.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Riverway East (renamed Dundonald) School and Dundonald Untied Church taken from River Road (now Marine Drive). A large pile of cordwood is visible alongside the school.
All Saints Anglican Church and Parish Hall
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [191-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8.8 x 13.9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of two buildings identified as All Saints Anglican Church and Parish Hall. There are two men in work clothes (cover-alls) standing in between the two buildings. There is a ladder going up to the roof of one building.
All Saints Church
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [ca.1910]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ronald G. Scobbie collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of building insurance plan of "All Saints Church / Lot "A" BK 29 DL 98 GP1 N.W.D.". Watling Street is idenfied to the north of the church building and Royal Oak Avenue to the west.
Anglican Church
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [ca.1910]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ronald G. Scobbie collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of building insurance plan of "Anglican Church / Lot 2 BK 37 DL69, GP.1, N.W.D. (15th Ave. (Dominion) is identified to the north of Lots 1, 2 and 3).
Broadview Presbyterian Church
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [ca.1910]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ronald G. Scobbie collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of building insurance plan of "Broadview Presbyterian Church / Lot 6, BK 31, DL 69 / GP1 N.W.D." . Fourteenth Avenue (Manor) is identified to the north and Douglas Ave. to the east.
Central Park Presbyterian Church
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1912 (date of original), copied 1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.1 x 14.9 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Central Park Presbyterian Church and the surrounding area. The church was located on Westminster Road (later Kingsway) across from Central Park.
Church building
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia
- Material Details
- inscribed in pencil, verso, t. "Oha/ In Los Gates/ California"
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified church building. The inscription indicates that the building is in Los Gates, California.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Accession Code
- HV973.110.56
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1910]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-05-30
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Less detail
Dundonald United Church
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [ca.1910]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ronald G. Scobbie collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a building insurance plan of "Dundonald United Church / Lots 9, 10 BK 28 DL 159 GP 1 / N.W.D.". Clinton Street is identified to the north of Lots nine and ten.
Dundonald United Church
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1911 and 1919]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 12.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Dundonald United Church, taken from the school grounds of Riverway East (later renamed Dundonald School).
Fort Augustus Abbey
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1900-1930]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 8.5 x 13.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard shows a building situated by a body of water and mountains. The building is identified as Fort Augustus Abbey.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1900-1930]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Series
- Hill family and Vidal family photograph series
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 8.5 x 13.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 550-145
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2013-03
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard shows a building situated by a body of water and mountains. The building is identified as Fort Augustus Abbey.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Bottom of recto reads: "The Abbey, Fort Augustus"
- Note in black pen on verso reads: "9th September / We arrived here last night after a run through the Canal Loch Ness, & we ... by train to Frot William - Inverness is awfully pretty, & we had lovely weather - I should like to stay here for a week - it is so peaceful & beautiful views over the Loch. Love from K L M / Mrs J G Craig / 25 Harrington Gdus / London S W 7 / England"
- Postage stamps on verso reads: "Halfpenny"
Less detail
Gordon Presbyterian Church
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [ca.1912]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ronald G. Scobbie collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of building insurance plan of "Gordon Presbyterian Church / Blocks 1-2 BK 7 DL 30 GP1 N.W.D.". Arbutus Street is identified to the north of Lots 1, 2, & 3 and Humphries Avenue to the east.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Ronald G. Scobbie collection
- Series
- School and church plans series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm
- Material Details
- Scale 1 inch = 20 feet
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of building insurance plan of "Gordon Presbyterian Church / Blocks 1-2 BK 7 DL 30 GP1 N.W.D.". Arbutus Street is identified to the north of Lots 1, 2, & 3 and Humphries Avenue to the east.
- Creator
- Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Names
- Gordon Presbyterian Church
- Accession Code
- BV003.83.45
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [ca.1912]
- Media Type
- Cartographic Material
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 15-Jan-2021
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Note in pencil on verso reads: "Gordon Presbyterian Church / Blocks 1-2 BK 7 DL 30 / Scale 1 inch = 20 feet" "Total area Lot 1 / Portion exempted / Total area Lot 2 / Portion exempted"
- Note in balck in on verso reads: "3704"
Less detail
St. Albans Church and Rectory
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1911 and 1919]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 12.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of St. Albans Church and Rectory on Douglas Road (at Canada Way and Edmonds).
St. Albans the Martyr
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [ca.1910]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ronald G. Scobbie collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of building insurance plan of "St. Albans the Martyr / Lots 45 & 46 North Part DL 28 / GP1 N.W.D." Edmonds Street is to the north, Douglas Road to the west and 19th Avenue to the south.
St. Albans the Martyr Church
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1912]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8.5 x 14 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of the St. Albans the Martyr Church at Canada Way and 19th Avenue.
St. Helen's Catholic Church
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1912] (date of original), copied 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of St. Helen's Catholic Church soon after it was built at 3894 Triumph Street. Photo by Dr. Carl Eaton.