Why Vote for Us? | Pourquoi voter pour nous ?
THE HISTORIC O'KEEFE RANCH
Winning the Next Great Save will help prolong the life of the centerpiece of the Ranch: the Mansion. This combined example of history and elegance from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s is in itself worth preserving due to it's thousands of historic artifacts from furniture to art.
The Mansion is the gathering place to relate stories of the historical arrival of colonists but also of the Syilx people helping the newcomers to survive in the Okanagan. With funding from the Next Great Save we can continue to educate visitors about our
history in the context of Canadian society since 1867.
By bringing the Mansion up to a reasonable state of repair, we can add to the already rich experience of visitors to the Ranch. Safety and accessibility are important goals for the Society and by making the Mansion more functional, we can host additional educational and cultural programs for the Community. The joining of two cultures will bring additional visitors to the Ranch and provide them with insight into European pioneering in the Okanagan in conjunction with the Syilx people. Our goal is bring new perspectives and understanding to cultural issues such as reconciliation.
Our Project's Impact | Les effets de notre projet
O’Keefe Ranch is known to the Sqilxw/Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples as Nk’maplqs, which means ‘head of the lake’ in their Indigenous language. It is important as a place of Syilx ancestral and contemporary uses including but not limited to hunting, fishing, gathering, hide tanning, the construction of tule-mat lodges and pit houses as well as ranching and farming. A specific Syilx connection to the O’Keefe Ranch is through the early relationships between two Syilx women of the Nk’maplqs band and the O’Keefe Ranch founders which helped orient the European men to these lands and establish a relationship with their Syilx neighbours. Founded in 1867, the O’Keefe Ranch is important as a representation of the earliest European settlement in the Okanagan Valley. Its establishment was enabled by Crown land pre-emptions, which today are perceived both as part of the pivotal and positive establishment of the province’s colonial economy and settlements in the Interior. The ranch is further valued as it was on the former fur trade Brigade Trail, a route on which the founders were driving close to two hundred head of cattle from Oregon to the Cariboo gold mines during the Cariboo Gold Rush.
The O’Keefe Ranch is an interactive and dynamic life sized museum with events and activities aimed at educating the general public and promoting the history and culture of the North Okanagan. On site there is a railway museum, historic buildings, farm animals, glamping, corn maze and museum. Visitors come to the O’Keefe Ranch from all over the world for community events, weddings, dinner theaters, live music, and to experience the rich history of the North Okanagan. Over 1,500 students with schools as far away as Merritt participated in the Educational Programming at the Ranch. In summer there are bookings for day camps and summer camps.
The Mansion was identified in the O’Keefe Ranch Heritage Conservation Plan as ‘crucial’ to the Ranch and it is important to maintain the heritage values of the building through restoration. It allows us to reach more people through Mansion tours and our School Education Program. We also use the mansion for interactive theatre, High Teas and other events. Repairing insulation and the hydronic heating system will reduce heat loss and maintain an energy efficient heating system to help preserve the artifacts in the building. There are many examples of traditional craftsmanship in the building such as the hardwood floors and the graceful stairway railings. Keeping the doors and windows cleaned and painted will preserve the look and feel of this heritage building.
By bringing the Mansion up to a reasonable state of repair, we can add to the already rich experience of visitors to the Ranch. Safety and accessibility are important goals for the Society and by making the Mansion more attractive and functional, we can host more events for the Community with additional space in an elegant setting. Bringing more people to the Ranch and providing them with insight into European pioneering in the Okanagan in conjunction with the Syilx people will enable new perspectives and understanding to outstanding cultural issues such as reconciliation.
About This Place | À propos du lieu
The Historic O'Keefe Ranch located in beautiful Vernon, British Columbia is proud to celebrate the foundation of two cultures. Before the arrival of early European Immigrants, the land as we know it today was inhabited by the Indigenous people, N K'maplqs, which means "head of the lake". Two weeks prior to the country officially becoming Canada, Cornelius O'Keefe purchased land rights to 160 acres of land which created trade, agriculture and other job opportunities throughout the region. The famous BX Express was a horse drawn coach service that provided delivery of provisions, mail, and public transportation to neighbouring communities throughout the Thompson Okanagan. An interesting fact is that the O'Keefe Ranch General Store was the first official Post Office in the region. Visitors today can still experience traditional postmaster guest services. O’Keefe House and Caretaker’s House • O’Keefe House – constructed in 1886, 1896, and 1900 with its caretaker’s wing, circular driveway, fountain, concrete gate posts and wrought iron gates The O’Keefe House and attached Caretaker’s House are in generally fair condition except as noted following. The overall structures is performing as intended, with little visual evidence of structural distress. • The retaining wall behind the O’Keefe House is in poor condition. The wood retaining wall behind the Caretaker’s House has displaced outwards at its base, likely due to earth pressure overload. Wood components at the tie back connections are deteriorating in some locations. The deterioration of the wood components of the wall puts it at high risk of failure. • There are issues in the attic with the presence of bats. • The chimney at the O’Keefe House is of structural concern and is a falling hazard. While it appears to be braced, the design of the brace is unknown and the condition of the chimney is such that a detailed review is required and an upgraded support may be warranted. An alternative to repairs to the chimney would be to decommission as suits Ranch operations. • The plaster and lath finish in the O’Keefe House is in fair to poor condition and should be repaired or replaced to prevent it becoming a falling hazard. Although plaster and lath is a historic material there is already precedent on site at the Schubert House for replacement with drywall, so replacement with drywall is preferred. • The Domestic hot water heater was installed in 2008. The hot water tank is approximately 3⁄4 through the service life. The condensate is intentionally plugged and is showing signs of degradation and rust. Communication wiring is messy in the basement. • Many of the windows and doors show signs of paint peeling and the need to recaulk. To address the current condition of the O’Keefe House and Caretaker’s House building we plan the following: • Provide additional support to the leaning chimney which is currently supported by ties. Also complete any brick repairs at this time. • Complete a window and door program that includes maintenance and replacement of protective films and shutters on the O’Keefe House windows. • Clean and repair the Caretaker’s House CMU basement wall where there is water damage. Add drainage around the basement. • Provide temporary shoring and complete repairs at brick foundation columns. • Repair porch and provide scuppers. • Either repair plaster and lath wall and ceiling finishes with like materials or replace with drywall. • Clean up messy communications and branch circuit wiring in the basement. • Replace hot water heater with new. • Replace condensate pump with new.
