North Vancouver's Presentation House opened 50 years ago today in 1976
The arts centre in the old city hall building was built by volunteers—from stitched seat cushions to stage lumber salvaged from a closed bowling alley.
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Fifty years ago today, September 13, 1976, the North Vancouver Community Arts Council opened Presentation House in the old city hall building. The new arts centre housed a museum and archives, a gallery, and a theatre — all brought to life through large-scale renovations and sustained community support.
The theatre was built by volunteers. Seat cushions were stitched by hand. Carpets came second-hand from a local law office. Lumber for the stage was repurposed from a recently closed bowling alley. That theatre still operates from the building today.
Presentation House Theatre remains active, but the broader institution has evolved. The Museum of North Vancouver (MONOVA) now occupies 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards, open to visitors. MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver is located at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley, open for drop-ins on Tuesdays and by appointment Monday and Wednesday through Friday from 12:30 to 4 p.m. (Contact: archives@monova.ca.)
The details
When did Presentation House open?
Presentation House opened on September 13, 1976, in the old city hall building in North Vancouver.
What was Presentation House built from?
Volunteers built the theatre using salvaged and donated materials, including hand-stitched seat cushions, second-hand carpets from a local law office, and stage lumber repurposed from a closed bowling alley.
Where is the Museum of North Vancouver located now?
The Museum of North Vancouver (MONOVA) is located at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards.
