Home Tour Tips

New Westminster Heritage Preservation Society

Welcome to the Heritage Homes Tour — a celebration of craftsmanship, community, and history. To help you make the most of your day, here are a few helpful hints and courtesies.

Before You Begin

• Your Program Is Your Passport
  Keep your Heritage Homes Tour Program with you at all times. It will be stamped at the door of each venue you visit. Each ticket entitles you to one tour per home — as tempting as it may be to go back for a second peek!

• Footwear Etiquette
  Please wear socks and remove your shoes before entering private homes. Choose easy-on, easy-off walking shoes; you’ll be helping to protect heritage floors and carpets, especially if it’s raining.

• Plan Your Route
  The map in the centre spread of your tour program marks every home and public washroom location. It’s not GPS-grade precision, but it’ll get you from Queen’s Park to downtown without any drama.

• Washrooms
  Public washrooms are available at:

  • Irving House

  • New Westminster Museum & Archives (Anvil Centre)

  • Queen’s Park venues – Bernie Legge Theatre & Centennial Lodge

• Photography
  Please ask a volunteer before taking photos. Some homeowners prefer not to have their interiors photographed.

Getting Around

New Westminster is a wonderfully walkable city, but if you want to visit every venue efficiently, consider driving, biking, or taking transit between neighbourhoods.

Maintaining Your “Welcome!” Status

Our homeowners and hosts open their doors generously — please show your appreciation by following these simple courtesies:

1. Tour homes are open 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. only. No early birds or latecomers, please.

2. Each guest may tour each home once.

3. Every attendee, including children aged 12 and up, must have a ticket.

4. For safety and respect, please do not bring children under 12.

5. No food, drinks, pets, or smoking on tour properties.

6. Please don’t touch furnishings or open cupboards, drawers, or closets.

7. No washroom facilities are provided in private homes — refer to your map for nearby public ones.

And Finally…

This event is extremely popular, and line-ups are part of the fun. Take a deep breath, enjoy the company of fellow heritage lovers, and chat with our amazing volunteers while you wait.

Thank you for being part of this celebration of New Westminster’s living history.

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