Tractor display at Summer Fair

I the writer first met the true originator of this society, Willard Michell sometime soon after 1928. As I got to know Willard over the next twenty five years, I found that he was part of an early farm family on Saanich Peninsula and like many of his era, he did not deliberately throw anything away that might be of some use in the future. As I got to know Willard more I found that he became a collector in particular of older and historic items, He had also a great interest in the history of this area and local historic organizations.Willard’s ambitions became contagious. A group of volunteers soon helped the collection to grow. The first thought of organization was discussed early in September 1968. Two months later at meeting #4, the name of Saanich Historical Artifacts Society was accepted and used for the first time. Meetings were held in member’s homes and our first work shop was on Willard’s farm. Our first display building was a newly erected building on the Saanichton Fair Grounds, as temporary accommodation.

The hunt for better accommodation was started with many suggestions but nothing was within our resources. In October 1973, the first discussion took place with the British Columbia Land Commission and the local Municipal Council. B.C. Land commission is pleased with our plans and objectives and are prepared to grant us a property lease. Land clearing can start as long as local regulations are adhered to.By November of 1974, there is much publicity. The property is to become our permanent location.. Our membership is fast increasing. We qualify and receive a substantial number of government grants for various purposes. Since this time, combined with much private funding and vast amounts of volunteer labour, By the year 1995 Saanich Historical Artifacts Society had a value of $671.000.00, plus an accumulation of historical artifacts, many that are near priceless.We are located very close to the City of Victoria, the Capital of British Columbia, on highway #17, and very close to the World Famous Butchart Gardens. The final word is, come and see what we have to offer.Yours sincerely Art Gardner.The original signatories of the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society were:

• Willard Wallace Michell
• Edward Albert Raper
• George Arthur Gardner
• Frederick James Searle
• John Lawrence Hafer
• Archie Millar
• Kenneth John Cruickshank
• James Plumber Price