"The Book House" at the Children's Garden Library, Victoria, BC. (BC Archives H-04301, detail)
Canada
English
ca. 750 ft (2 reels)
16mm
Colour
Silent
"During the 1940s, Mrs. Gertrude McGill ran the Children's Garden Library in the garden of her home at 1170 Tattersall Drive in Victoria. Open to children aged 4 to 12, this program aimed to improve reading habits and instill citizenship. It is seen as the beginning of cooperative preschools on Vancouver Island.
"Amateur film. Part 1 shows a day's activities at the Children's Garden Library, including games, calisthenics, playground equipment, dancing, and reading and storytelling at the "Book House". Part 2 shows the children participating in May 24 celebrations at Beacon Hill Park, which includes a May Queen pageant, maypole dancing, and activities honouring the "Queen of Health", the "Queen of Music", the "Queen of Drama", the "Queen of Race Friendship" and the "Queen of Art". A mothers' study group, and the toymakers' group, are also shown." (BC Archives)
BC Archives description of "The children's garden library": http://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/childrens-garden-library
BC Archives, Royal BC Museum
Amateur Cinema