Miyazaki House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Miyazaki House |
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| Location | Lillooet, British Columbia, Canada |
| Built | 1880s |
The Miyazaki House is a beautiful old home in Lillooet, British Columbia. It was built in the 1880s and was first known as the Longford House. Today, it's a special place where the community gathers, art is shown, and visitors can learn about its history.
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The House's Early Days
The Miyazaki House was built by a man named Caspar Phair in the 1880s. He designed it to look a bit like his wife's old home, Eyrecourt Castle, in County Galway, Ireland. When it was first built, the house had lovely gardens that stretched all the way down to Lillooet's Main Street.
Changes Over Time
Later, Caspar Phair's relative, A.W.A. "Artie" Phair, lived in the house. Sadly, he didn't take care of the gardens, and they became overgrown.
Dr. Miyazaki's Story
The house's name changed because of a very important person: Dr. Masajiro Miyazaki.
How Dr. Miyazaki Came to Lillooet
During a difficult time in 1945, many Japanese Canadians were forced to move from their homes. Dr. Miyazaki, who was an osteopath (a type of doctor who focuses on the body's structure), was living in a relocation camp in Shalalth. Artie Phair worked with the local police chief to bring Dr. Miyazaki to Lillooet. He was needed to help the community as a doctor, dentist, and even as the local coroner (a person who investigates deaths).
Buying the House
Dr. Miyazaki lived in the Longford House while he helped the people of Lillooet. In 1947, a law that stopped Japanese Canadians from buying property was lifted. This meant Dr. Miyazaki could finally buy the house legally from Artie's son, Harold Phair.
A Gift to the Community
For many years, the house served as Dr. Miyazaki's office. He worked hard to care for the people of Lillooet. In 1983, Dr. Miyazaki made a wonderful gift: he donated the house to the community. This generous act ensured the house would continue to be a valuable part of Lillooet.
The Miyazaki House Today
Now, the house is proudly called the Miyazaki House. It's a busy and important place for everyone in Lillooet.
What You Can Do There
The Miyazaki House is used for many different things:
- It hosts community events, bringing people together.
- Local artists can display their artwork there.
- You can visit the house for free tours from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM. It's a great way to step back in time and learn about the house's history.
The Miyazaki House is a National Historic Site of Canada, which means it's recognized as a very important part of Canada's past.
