Old General Store 100th Birthday Celebration

Picnic and celebration August 10th from 12pm – 3pm

Constructed in 1924 for the Union Steamship Company, and now the home of the Bowen Library, our largest and most iconic heritage building is 100 years old this year. Join us in celebrating this beautiful building and those who saved it from demolition in 1984.

Saturday August 10th from 12pm to 3pm we invite you to bring a picnic to the Library lawn and enjoy music, displays, art, games, activities, birthday cupcakes, and a community photo. You are encouraged to dress in 1920’s attire, and to bring your own picnic or order a grab and go lunch from local food vendors.

Save yourself a line-up on a Saturday in the Cove and pre-order from Tippy’s special menu. Order prior to the day of the event at info@tippys.ca or come in early on the 10th and they will prioritize the pickup.

Schedule of events:

• 12:00 – 1:00 pm Picnic on the lawns
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Games
• 1:30 – 2:00 pm Birthday cupcake and speeches
• 2:00 pm Community photo

Enjoy displays inside the Annex as well, including a collection of paintings of the Old General Store, and the Bowen Island Community School Youth Curators’ exhibit about its history. These are presented and curated by the Bowen Island Museum and Archives.

This event is supported by: Bowen Island Municipality, Bowen Heritage, Knick Knack Nook, Bowen Island Public Library, Bowen Island Literacy Task Group, Bowen Island Museum & Archives, and the Friends of the Bowen Island Library Society. 

Learn More

Learn more from these Bowen Island Undercurrent submissions (external links):

• The Bowen Library’s busy past by Helen Wallwork / Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association
• Youth Curators explore layers of Old General Store history! by Sarah Haxby / Bowen Island Community School

History of Use of the Old General Store

• 1924 — Construction of Union Steamship Company (USSC) General Store
• 1930-40 — Groceries, supplies, gas, post office and social centre
• 1956-1966 — Lloyd Walters rents space from USSC and takes over General Store business
• 1962 — USSC land and buildings subdivided and sold
• 1966 — Tom McKinnon buys General Store business
• 1973-1975 — Keith and Linda Stansfield with Lawrie and Linda Lock buy General Store business
• 1975 — General Store business moves to new location
• 1976-1978 — Building is mostly empty and falling into disrepair. Plans to widen the road have the building slated for demolition in 1978
• 1978-1984 — Bowen Island Park and Store Use Society (BIPASUS) forms to save the building
• 1978-1983 — “Fleam” – Flea Market raises funds to save the building
• 1983 — GVRD purchases remaining USSC lands and the building and moves the building 50 ft back from road
• 1983-1984 — Building stripped down to studs and restored
• 1984 — Old General Store re-opens in current location
• 1985 — Post Office occupies west end of building
• 1987 — Library occupies 400 sf at the east end of the building
• 1985-2001 — Main space used as unofficial community hall
• 1990’s — Haunted House, Family Place, Theatre Productions, Heritage Days, BI Arts Festival, Cinema, Tai Chi, and many other events happen in the OGS space….
• 1991 — Library moves to Cates Corner
• 1993 — Post Office moves to Cates Corner
• Late 1990’s — Building is mostly empty due to unaffordable rent increases
• 2002 — Library returns and rents the whole main floor from GVRD
• 2005 — BIM purchases the building and surplus lands
• 2018 — Library and Arts Council build an addition to the back of the OGS and Gallery opens
• August 10, 2024 — Community celebration of 100th birthday of the building!