Janet Bingham—A Full Life

Janet Bingham, one of the founders of the Roedde House Preservation Society, founding member of the Friends of the Vancouver City Archives, and former President of the Community Arts Council of Vancouver, died on September 26 after a brief illness at the age of 85.

Janet Mary Bingham (nee Whitmore) was born and raised in Vancouver. She married Alec Bingham and had three children. They all survive her.

An accomplised watercolourist, in 1964 she joined the Board of the Community Arts Council of Vancouver. She was its President in 1967-68 and served on the Board for 20 years. She was active in CACV campaigns such as freeway opposition and Gastown revitalisation. She was the first Secretary of the CACV Heritage Committee (now Heritage Vancouver) when it formed in 1976. She supported its preservation campaigns and researched its walking tours.

Janet's research into the life of noted architect Samuel Maclure was recognised by the Canada Council, and her book on Maclure was published in 1985. She received a City Heritage award.

Janet became a central figure in developing unusual plans for the West End's Barclay Heritage Square. Working through the CACV, she enlisted imaginative experts and Heritage Canada support, and eventually City and Parks Board support for a mix of open space coupled with restored and re-purposed heritage buildings, with Roedde House Museum as the centrepiece. She received a Vancouver Parks Board Volunteer award. In 1984 Janet was one of the five founders of the Roedde House Preservation Society which operates the Museum. An early President, at the time of her death she remained on the Board and a school visit docent. In 1996 she published "More than a House" about all this.

In addition, in 1984 Janet was appointed to the City's Heritage Advisory Committee (now a Commission) serving for five years, two as Chair. She was a founding member of the Friends of the Vancouver City Archives, cataloguing its historic photos. She actively participated in Heritage Canada, and the Vancouver Historical Society which granted her a Service to the Community award.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 15 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary's (Kerrisdale) Anglican Church, 2490 West 37th Avenue, Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Roedde House Preservation Society, 1415 Barclay Street, Vancouver, BC, V6G 1J6 or www.roeddehouse.org.