The BC Agricultural Association Exhibition Building at the Willows
will be available on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 1pm at:
Munro’s Books in downtown Victoria.
And later, at these fine bookstores:
Bolen Books at Hillside Shopping Centre
Ivy’s Books in Oak Bay
Tanner’s Books in Sidney, B.C.
Third Edition. 360 pages. 317 illustrations. Footnotes. Index. ISBN 978-1-7751204-1-4 Softcover. $34.95 Historic Media. www.LostVictoria.com
Review and Excerpt in the Times-Colonist
A full page excerpt and review of the Exhibition Building Book (Second Edition) appeared in the Times-Colonist ‘Islander’ section on December 9, 2018.
It featured three coloured renderings of the building by Ron Soule, and a 1,000-word book excerpt, as well as a review from Dave Obee, the editor and publisher of the Times-Colonist.
Book review: A history of a remarkable structure from Victoria’s past.
The only known interior panorama of the Crystal Palace from 1901. Daily Colonist photo.
The Second Edition of
The BC Agricultural Association Exhibition Building at the Willows was printed in September 2018.
Revised and expanded, the book now contains thirty new pages of text and illustrations, totalling 293 illustrations, many never seen before. The only panorama illustration of the interior of the Exhibition Building is revealed, as are several photographs of exhibits in the building.
On September 27, 2018, Stuart Stark presented a lecture on the Exhibition Building to The Victoria Historical Society. Around 60 people attended the lecture.
Below: Stuart Stark receiving a ‘Communications Award’ from Ken Johnson, president of the Hallmark Heritage Society, May 1, 2018 for his book: The BC Agricultural Association Exhibition Building at the Willows
Author Stuart Stark at Tanner’s Books, Sidney, B.C.
Book signing at Bolen Books on April 28, 2018
To celebrate Canadian Independent Bookstore Day!
Booksigning on April 28, 2018 at Bolen Books, Hillside Shopping Centre, Victoria, B.C., to celebrate Canadian Independent Bookstore Day
The Book was Launched on December 15, 2017! See details below.
The B.C. Agricultural Association
Exhibition Building at the Willows
Stuart Stark, award-winning Heritage Consultant, tells the grand story of Victoria’s astonishing ‘Crystal Palace’, which was built in 1891 and burned in a night-time conflagration in 1907.
Using social and architectural history, the history of the Exhibition Building is recounted, starting in 1861, when the first agricultural exhibition was held as a means of survival for the people living in the Colony of Vancouver’s Island.
The exhibitions developed and grew, culminating in the construction of the landmark building, built on the fortieth anniversary of its London namesake. The roles of the Secretaries of the Agricultural Association – and the hundreds of private individuals and many city councils who planned, organized and controlled the exhibitions – and the politics that made the building possible provide the compelling background of a little–known building that was important to the lives of early Victorians. Fifty-eight agricultural exhibitions were held over the course of 81 years, through social changes, economic tribulations and two wars, until the last Exhibition was held in 1941.
In an age before emails and computers, the amazing accomplishments of a city are celebrated. Royal visits, wonderful exhibits, horse-racing, circuses, fireworks, sports, sideshows and gold medals frame the story of the Exhibition Building as a place “where everyone could come and do their best”.
The agricultural exhibitions developed from an annual show of animals and produce to a huge fairground showcasing industrial exhibitions, automobile shows and movie production facilities. The city’s own history is reflected in the account of this great building, and the exhibitions that came before and after, allow a unique perspective of a town’s story.
With 242 illustrations, including some amazing architectural renderings constructed by Ron Soule, the great-grandson of the building’s original architect, the Exhibition Building comes back to life, as never before.
320 pages. 242 illustrations. Footnotes. Index. ISBN 978-1-77512-040-7 Softcover. 6″ x 9″ Historic Media. www.LostVictoria.com
The Book was launched on December 15, 2017, at the Oak Bay Library. It was available at:
• Ivy’s Bookshop, 2188 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria, B.C. 250-598-2713
• Munro’s Books, 1108 Government Street, Victoria, B.C., 250-382-2464
• Bolen Books, Hillside Shopping Centre, Victoria B.C., 250-595-1458
A Book Launch was held at the Oak Bay Library on December 15, 2017, sponsored by Oak Bay Heritage; the Oak Bay Archives; and the Greater Victoria Public Library.
Top: Stuart Stark presents a copy of the book to Caroline Duncan, Archivist, Oak Bay Archives Middle: Signing the book Bottom Left: Cake featuring the book cover. Bottom Right: Stuart Stark signing a copy of the book for Mayor of Oak Bay Nils Jensen, who introduced the author.
Stuart Stark signing Books at Ivy’s Bookshop on December 20, 2017
Story in the Oak Bay News. Online: December 15; Print: December 20, 2017:
Just because there has been a gap in blogging does not mean there has been a gap in writing. The major biography was completed and sent out for readings. Carefully considered reviews and good comments were received back. A re-edit commenced, mostly shortening for length, a painful, but necessary task. Although it is sad to see carefully researched facts drop away, the story is better for it, reading more smoothly.
Then an unexpected and previously undiscovered interview with the subject of the biography turned up, giving chapter and verse of his earlier life, covering previously unknown facts and times. So, back to the keyboard in order to weave the new facts into the amazing story of his life. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, a long short story – by length, properly called a ‘Novelette’ – called ‘Henry’s Lights’ was completed, set in west London, starting in the 1940s, and telling the story of one man’s obsession over a span of fifty years.
And then, the offer of a lecture for the Oak Bay Heritage Foundation – which started as telling the story contained in one chapter of the big biography – started another piece of writing.
Please see the next (newer) Blog for more details…
In the meantime, a long short story – by length, properly called a ‘Novelette’ – called ‘Henry’s Lights’ was completed, set in west London, starting in the 1940s, and telling the story of one man’s obsession over a span of fifty years.