Description of Historic Place

The historic place consists of the Sybil Andrews Cottage, the Walter Morgan Shed, and the Andrews-Morgan property. The Sybil Andrews Cottage, built in 1942, is a simple wood-frame structure located at 2131 South Island Highway in Campbell River, B.C. Home to the celebrated artist Sybil Andrews and her husband Walter Morgan from 1947 until 1992, the historic oceanfront property consists of the cottage and a large workshop, known as the Walter Morgan Shed, in the backyard. The property includes organic flower gardens, including apple trees that are original to the property, and unobstructed views to Quadra Island.

Heritage Value

The cottage has aesthetic and historic value for its architecture as an early residence in Willow Point and for being representative of the unassuming houses of the 1930s and 1940s with its medium pitched roof and modest scale. The expansion, built in 1959 by Walter Morgan, included a larger 'studio' workspace and sunroom overlooking the oceanfront yard. Morgan also built the Walter Morgan Shed, which has architectural-historical value as it is characteristic of modest auxiliary buildings of the time.

The house has both historic and cultural value in that, since 1947, it was home to internationally recognized linocut artist Sybil Andrews (1898-1992) and Walter Morgan, who was a noted machinist and boat builder. In 1960, Sybil began weekly art and music classes from the property, which she continued until 1992. The cottage was her 'art studio' for 45 years and became a centre for learning and artistic expression within the Campbell River art community. The shed has value for having been the place where Morgan did his work.

The cottage, shed, and property continue to have significant social and cultural value in the community today. Since 1997, the Campbell River Arts Council has occupied the cottage, and it remains a popular meeting place, and source of inspiration for artists, painting groups, music classes, carvers, and other groups within the Campbell River arts scene. In 2004, the Sybil Andrews Heritage Society was formed for the purpose of restoring the property and continuing the Sybil Andrews legacy. April 19th has been recognized as Sybil Andrews Day in Campbell River since 2007. Local artists speak of the home and property as a sanctuary for the art community. The welcoming, peaceful atmosphere of the cottage, shed, and gardens, nurtured by Sybil Andrews and savoured by Campbell River artists and musicians, remains intact today.

The Sybil Andrews Cottage received 'Legacy Landmark' status from the City of Campbell River in 1997. It is currently the home of the Campbell River Arts Council and the Sybil Andrews Heritage Society. The historic place provides the community with a historic creative space, and is a source of inspiration for a wide array of community groups, artists and musicians in the Campbell River Area.

SOURCE: City of Campbell River

Character-Defining Elements

The Character-Defining Elements of the Sybil Andrews Cottage include:
-Features representative of cottage building of the time, including the medium pitched roof, shingled walls, and wood sash windows.
-Original wood floors in the cottage
-Original 'Enterprise' wood stove in kitchen
-Large expanse of windows across the back of the cottage providing ocean views from the studio and sunroom
-Spatial configurations and views inside the cottage have remained unchanged since the space was utilized as Sybil Andrews' personal studio and classroom
-Features of the Walter Morgan Shed on the waterfront side of the property including the medium pitched gable roof, the board-and-batten siding and the veranda
-Heritage apple trees on the waterfront side of the property
-Views from the garden of Discovery Passage and Quadra Island