2008: Paderewski's Piano Unveiled

The celebrated Paderewski Grand Piano belonged to Ignacy Jan Paderewski; a famous Polish pianist, composer, and former third Prime Minister of Poland. The piano was built in New York in 1880, and purchased by Paderewski for use on his North American Tour. That tour ended in Vancouver, where in 1910 Paderewski sold the piano to the Marquis of Anglesey (who established the village of Walhachin). For the next 50 years the piano was played during concerts at the Walhachin Community Hall. In 1961, the piano was presented to the UBC school of Music, and in 2007 transferred to new custodians in the form of the Paderewski Heritage Committee, in order that it be preserved and maintained for its significant historical interest and value.
The refurbished piano was unveiled at a special recital of the musician's work at the Polish Embassy in Vancouver, on January 10th, 2008.

1969: Promoter Lily Laverock Dies In Obscurity

Lily Laverock
December 2, 1969
Impresario Lily Laverock died in Duncan, about 89. She was born in Edinburgh, c. 1880. She came to Vancouver as a child with her parents. She was the first woman to graduate in moral philosophy from McGill. She was the first woman (1908) employed as a general reporter by a Vancouver newspaper (The World). On October 4, 1909, when the Vancouver branch of the Canadian Women’s Press Club was formed, she was the chief organizer and the first secretary-treasurer. She moved to the News-Advertiser in 1910 and became editor of the women’s page. “Her pen was ever ready in the cause of women's suffrage.” She never married. Quiet, shy, ethereally attractive, she made her greatest contribution to local fame when she became an impresario. An avid arts supporter, she promoted her first Celebrity Concert in 1921. The world-famous performers she brought to the city in the 1920s and 1930s make for an eye-popping list: Kreisler, Heifetz, Melba, Gigli, Casals, Chaliapin, Maurice Ravel at the piano . . . and on and on. She packed the Denman Arena with acts like the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and Belgian Royal Symphonic Band. WWII ended her impresario efforts. Today, despite her immense contribution to the city’s cultural life, she’s almost totally forgotten.