At Home with History: The Untold Secrets of Greater Vancouver's Heritage Homes

by Eve Lazarus

At Home with History is a collection of real life stories that bring to life the glamorous and not-so-glamorous social histories of selected heritage homes in Greater Vancouver—stories of brothels and bootleggers, secret rooms, and Shakespearean-style murders. An Italian family survives the depression by selling booze and sandwiches from their eastside home. A Shaughnessy mansion headquarters the Klu Klux Klan and then a children’s hospice. A secret radio room is uncovered during renovations. Every home has a social history and a genealogy that tells a tremendous amount about the history of the times and offers up a sense of place. Current home-owners are only temporary custodians, part of the chain in the ongoing narrative of the house. People change, styles change, colours change, cars change, but through it all, the house remains a central fixture and the structure for the stories in At Home with History .

Genres: History, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2007

About the author

Eve Lazarus is an author, reporter and the host and producer of the Cold Case Canada podcast. Her bestselling books include Cold Case BC, Vancouver Exposed, and Murder by Milkshake which was shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Best Non-Fiction Crime Book, the City of Vancouver book award, and Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award (BC Book Prizes). Eve's latest book is Beneath Dark Waters: The Legacy of the Empress of Ireland Shipwreck.

Reviews

[Mike Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A disappointment. The author spends a huge amount of time highlighting the interesting history behind some of Vancouver's Heritage homes, but only has a handful of photos showing the actual houses. It's like an author describing a symphony, you get the gist but the nuance and beauty is lost in the translation.
*Edit July 2017*
My previous criticism is valid but upon reflection I was a little harsh. There is a great amount of interesting information about the history of various Vancouver heritage homes, and as a resident of Greater Vancouver I want to support any and all attempts to capture that history, before they have been leveled for new condos and townhouse developments. Hopefully the author comes out with an expanded edition packed with photos of all the buildings discussed, then it would be a must have

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 3.5 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)

I enjoyed this cool book on history of homes in Vancouver (Lower Mainland of BC, really as a few other cities are included). If you know the areas you may even know some of the houses in this book, but even if you don't this is still fascinating. I have always wondered who had lived in my childhood home before us. What attracted them to the home, and what was the reason for moving. Maybe as a history buff, and a writer, I am always interested in knowing backstories. The only thing I was not happy about this book, was the lack of pictures. I wish there were more photographs to give a better idea of the space and place (especially those readers not from the area).

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you live in the area or are interested in the architecture this is a great book. Beautiful homes now destroyed to build soulless condos. The West End of Vancouver has been destroyed by 20 storey apartment buildings, the downtown core is home to glass and chrome pickets. But oh the days of yore when people knew how to design beautiful quality homes. Even the little cottages and workers' houses were wonderful looking. Progress is not all it is cracked up to be. The last couple of chapters involves famous murders and hauntings in the various homes. Also very interesting.

[Nazareth · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is more factual then anything. So, if you’re looking into a factual history lesson...this is your text book. Interesting facts....but, really hard to get through. I didn’t finish it.

It would be good as a walking tour history lesson!!!

[Shelley Hayashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read about the heritage homes and old neighborhoods. It's time for an update.