Abkhazi Garden Patio Restoration Moves Forward with Boost from Heritage Legacy Fund

For Immediate Release

The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) is receiving a boost of $4,400 to support its stone patio restoration project at Abkhazi Garden, which will complete the multi-stage refurbishment the non-profit began in 2016.  The funding comes through the Heritage Legacy Fund, the only provincial grant program that supports heritage conservation, awareness, planning and Indigenous partnership projects.

The stonework has been a focus of attention in TLC’s restoration efforts due to the impact on accessibility and potential safety hazards.  Over the last two years stonework on stairways and other pathways has taken priority, but with those projects completed the organization turns its efforts to concluding the restoration with the large patio that connects to the teahouse and is a centerpiece of the Garden providing vistas to all corners of the property.

Photo by Dave Hobson

Work on the final stage of the patio restoration is to begin October 1^st.  The total cost to complete the project is $8,800.  Donors interested in contributing to Abkhazi Garden can donate online at conservancy.bc.ca, by calling TLC at 1-877-495-2422 or by contributing to the Jack Eldridge Memorial Fund for Abkhazi Garden held with the Victoria Foundation.

“The Heritage Legacy Fund Committee was impressed by the diversity of heritage project applications this year,” says Angie Bain, Heritage BC Director and Researcher with the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “Successful applicants have demonstrated the significant, innovative and meaningful ways that local communities, repositories and organizations are embracing reconciliation and working to protect, promote, and celebrate heritage on behalf of all British Columbians.”

Since June 2005, the Heritage Legacy Fund has supported heritage conservation in British Columbia with $1.8 million of project funding. The funds are made possible through a $5 million endowment established in 2003 by the Province of British Columbia.

Photo by Dave Hobson

Heritage BC’s Vice-Chair Lynda Lafleur says: “Every year many community heritage projects are received for consideration under the Heritage Legacy Fund. This year was no exception with a wide variety of excellent submissions from various regions of B.C. We appreciate the efforts of individuals, heritage organizations and local governments who choose to spend their time raising funds to preserve an important aspect of their local history.”

TLC Executive Director Cathy Armstrong says: “We are thankful to Heritage BC for their support of the restoration project and for their recognition of the historical significance of Abkhazi Garden.  The Garden is visited and enjoyed by ten thousand individuals each year including school children who benefit from the historical context of the Garden as well as the appreciation of plants and protected areas.”

The 2018 grants were overseen by a jury of four members and supported by Heritage BC staff.

About the Heritage Legacy Fund

Since June 2005, the Heritage Legacy Fund has supported heritage conservation in British Columbia with $1.8 million of project funding. The funds are made possible through a $5 million endowment established in 2003 by the Province of British Columbia.

Applications are received from non-profits, local governments and First Nations, seeking funding to support all kinds of heritage work from building maintenance to large scale conservation, from signage to exhibitions. Funding for heritage planning projects was added in 2017, and in 2018 a new funding stream was created to support partnership projects between heritage organizations and Indigenous peoples.

Of the over 125 grants provided to date, projects have included life safety upgrades to the Lim Sai Hor Kow Mock Benevolent Society building in Vancouver, the creation of a digital heritage trail on Bowen Island, the revitalization of the Miner’s Union Hall in Rossland and a BC Heritage Fairs online exhibit, to name a few.

About Heritage BC

Heritage BC is a charitable not-for-profit supporting heritage conservation across British Columbia through education, training and skills development, capacity building in heritage planning and funding through the Heritage Legacy Fund. We are passionate about building links between heritage conservation and tourism, economic and environmental sustainability, community pride and an appreciation of our common history.

About Abkhazi Garden

A heritage home and community garden, Abkhazi Garden was created by Prince Nicholas and Princess Marjorie (Peggy) Abkhazi in 1946. This was the year they married and settled in Victoria, after living separate lives touched by both privilege and tragedy. They immediately began to develop their one-acre property, and continued to maintain and improve the garden throughout their lives together. After their deaths, the Abkhazi Garden changed hands and in February 2000, with community support, TLC purchased the property to save it from becoming a townhouse development.

Located at 1964 Fairfield Road, Abkhazi Garden is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily from April 1 to September 30, and Wednesday through Sunday throughout the fall and winter. Admission to the garden is by donation.

About TLC The Land Conservancy of B.C.:

The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) is a non-profit, charitable Land Trust working throughout British Columbia. TLC’s primary mandate is to benefit the community by protecting habitat for natural communities of plants and animals. Founded in 1997, TLC is membership-based and governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors.  TLC relies on a strong membership, donor and volunteer base to help maintain its operations.