Restoration
In 1974 a small group of Kaslo residents* got together with what to some was considered to be a crazy idea. Take a derelict heritage building, about to be demolished, and restore it and turn it into a cultural centre with a theatre, an art gallery and studios for artists. In June of 1975 the Langham Cultural Society was registered as a society.
The Langham Hotel had been built in 1896 during the heyday of mining. It was so busy during this economic high that beds were rented in three shifts a day. The bar ran from the front of the building right to the back and never stopped serving up drinks. As years passed, it saw many other incarnations: a bottling plant; a wooden boat factory and a bank. It fell into disrepair. During the Second World War the Langham was used as an internment centre for approximately 80 Canadians of Japanese descent.
After Herculean efforts to restore her, the first floor was opened in 1977; followed by the second and third floors in June of 1978. In 1977 the Langham Cultural Society was awarded The Park and Tilford Trophy from Heritage Canada, "for exceptional efforts devoted to beautification and community benefit". It also received the National Prize Award, "for an outstanding contribution to heritage conservation in Canada”.
On 6 August 1988 a ceremony to formally apologize to the Japanese Canadian interned in the Langham and elsewhere in Kaslo took place. The Village of Kaslo became the first municipality to offer redress. A plaque was affixed to the exterior of the Langham. The Japanese Canadian Museum was opened on May 23, 1993 dedicated to the Japanese Canadians, their courage under adversity and their ability to overcome injustice. The Japanese Canadian Museum is a self guided archival display which is open to the public seven days a week, year round. There are brochures available at the beginning of the display in the lobby. The sleeping quarters of the six members of the Konno family has been recreated on the third floor. At the time of internment, the Japanese Canadians were 2/3 of the population of Kaslo.
The Langham Cultural Society has been active for over 30 years, providing ongoing public programming, theatre events, and many gallery exhibits.
The Langham is an integral part of the community of Kaslo.
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