This room was a versatile space used for special family meals and as a “family room” during poor weather. The children did their homework at the table (then covered with a green baize cloth) and when the weather was bad they could play the games of the day. When the door to the kitchen was open, this room collected heat generated by the kitchen stove: it was a comfortable place to be.
The Roedde family traditionally displayed a German style Christmas tree in the bay window. Lit by candles, the tree caught fire in January 1913. A quick response from Fire Hall No. 6 (on nearby Nicola Street) contained the fire to the ceiling and nearby wood mouldings. The restoration of the damage explains the later Edwardian Arts and Crafts appearance of this room. The wine buckram, filling the recessed fir panels on the walls, is homage to Gustav’s trade as a bookbinder and was supplied by G.A. Roedde Printers.
Slide 1: Framed photographic portrait of Gustav Roedde (1860-1930). An ambitious entrepreneur who saw opportunity in relocating to Vancouver after the Great Fire of 1886 and the City’s subsequent expansion. He began working for the bindery department of the Vancouver’s daily newspaper, but went on to establish his own business in 1891 (G.A. Roedde Printers Ltd.) above a butcher’s shop at 36 West Cordova. He later expanded his business and in 1913 commissioned his own company building on Homer Street.
Slide 2: Framed photographic portrait of Matilda Roedde (1862-1951), a homemaker and excellent baker (like her father) who enjoyed sewing in her leisure time.
Slide 3: Along with the picture rail, another feature of the period was the plate rail displaying fine pieces of china.
Slide 4: Charred wood on the door frame of the porch, caused by the 1913 dining room fire. At the time of the fire the Roeddes did not have a phone in the house so someone had to run to the fire station for help- thankfully it was nearby.
Slide 1: Pencil drawing of Queen Victoria – copied from the popular lithographic portrait of Her Majesty and a feature of many turn of the 19th/20th century Canadian homes.
Slide 2: Hand painted folding corner screen – a popular item of the time.
Slide 3: China from the Era including an example of how broken pieces were repaired.
Slide 4: Maroon buckram covering the walls.
Slide 5: Bay window space used to display the Christmas tree with view towards Barclay Heritage Park.