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Rolfe House of Chilliwack to get heritage designation

Plaque presented to homeowners as heritage value recognized
13678820_web1_ROLFE_HOUSE
A municipal heritage site plaque will be presented for the Rolfe House on Sept. 28.

It’s a beautifully maintained heritage home on Wellington Avenue, constructed in the Craftsman style with a full open front veranda.

Members of the public are invited to attend the presentation of a municipal heritage site plaque for the Rolfe House on Sept. 28 at 10 a.m.

“It is a pleasure to participate in the preservation of this piece of Chilliwack’s history and to look back on the contributions that previous owners made to our community,” said Mayor Sharon Gaetz in a release.

The Rolfe House, at 45621 Wellington Avenue, was constructed in 1921.

The wood frame house is 1.5 storeys, distinguished by side-gabled roof line, twin front gable dormers, front veranda and shingle cladding.

“The current owners of the Rolfe House are very deserving of this recognition for their continuous efforts to retain its heritage value and aesthetic qualities,” said Mayor Gaetz.

Built as a family home during a time of economic growth after the first world war, its first occupants were dry goods merchant William Thomas Rolfe, his wife Gertrude Rebecca Rolfe and their two children.

READ MORE: Skelton House presented heritage plaque

The house later became home to another prominent Chilliwack family, the Barbers. Leslie Barber was the owner and publisher of The Chilliwack Progress and his wife, Connie Barber, a notable local columnist.

The heritage designation and upcoming plaque presentation for the Rolfe House support the City’s Official Community Plan goal to foster a greater public awareness and appreciation about Chilliwack’s history and cultural heritage, according to city officials.

READ MORE: Gervan House and Stonehurst among the first recognized


@CHWKjourno
jfeinberg@theprogress.com

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Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
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