Vernon Heritage Week and Other Ways to Explore Historic Homes
Quick answer: BC Heritage Week runs each February (February 16 to 22 in 2026), and it's a good excuse to explore Vernon's past. Year-round, you can tour the 1895 Caetani Centre on Pleasant Valley Road, walk past East Hill's 1890s homes, visit the Museum & Archives of Vernon, and explore nearby sites like Historic O'Keefe Ranch.
East Hill holds some of Vernon's oldest homes, built when the city's early merchants and professionals settled on the hillside above downtown. Whether you're a history buff, a heritage home buyer, or just curious, here's how to explore.
BC Heritage Week
BC Heritage Week is a province-wide celebration of heritage held every February, with museums, heritage societies and communities hosting events. In 2026 it ran from February 16 to 22. Local events vary from year to year, so check Heritage BC's event listings, Tourism Vernon's calendar, and the Museum & Archives of Vernon closer to the date.
Another good time to explore is Culture Days each fall, when the Caetani Centre has hosted free and by-donation events in past years.
Walk the 1890s homes on Pleasant Valley Road
A short stretch of Pleasant Valley Road holds four houses built in the 1890s, featured by Castanet as a glimpse into East Hill's past:
- The Megaw House (1893), the oldest of the four, in the Free Classic version of the Queen Anne style. Builder W.R. Megaw served as Vernon's mayor in 1899.
- The McNair House (1894), built for Vancouver lumberman David McNair.
- The Costerton House (1894), whose owner C.F. Costerton became mayor in 1921.
- The Sommerville House (1895), built by Samuel Sommerville and now home to the Caetani Cultural Centre.
Most are private homes, so please enjoy them from the sidewalk and respect the owners' privacy.
Nearby, Campbell House (1898), a Queen Anne Revival home, stands at the top of 30th Avenue.
Tour the Caetani Centre
The Caetani Cultural Centre occupies the 1895 Sommerville house on Pleasant Valley Road. It's known for the story of the Caetani family, who came to Vernon from Italy, and it now offers both guided and self-guided heritage tours of the home, along with artist residencies and community events. Tour times change by season, so check the Caetani Centre's website or social media before you go.
Visit the Museum & Archives of Vernon
The Museum & Archives of Vernon, at 3009 32nd Avenue downtown, tells the story of the North Okanagan. Admission is by donation. Its archives are among the most respected research facilities in the province, which makes it a great place to start if you're curious about the history of a particular street or home. Call ahead to ask about research services and current hours.
More historic places near East Hill
- Historic Downtown Mural Tours: dozens of murals depicting Vernon's history, culture and folklore, with free self-guided walking tours and an online map.
- Historic O'Keefe Ranch: founded in 1867 at the end of the first wagon road into the Okanagan, with more than a dozen historic buildings to explore, north of Vernon.
- Mackie Lake House: a well-preserved 1910 home on the shore of Kalamalka Lake that hosts historical tours, concerts and afternoon teas.
- Kalamalka Indigenous Garden: featuring traditional Syilx plants, medicines and foods, with community tours.
Own or buying a heritage home?
The City of Vernon maintains a Heritage Register of historically significant properties, most recently updated in April 2026. If your home is on it, you may qualify for the City's Heritage Retention Grant, which covers up to 50% of eligible exterior repairs, painting in heritage colours, landscaping and similar work, to a maximum of $500 per property each year. Applications are due by January 31 for work done the previous year. Check vernon.ca for current details.
If you're weighing a character home, our buying in East Hill page explains what to check, and our East Hill guide gives an overview of the neighbourhood. Tim Jones, a fellow agent we feature as our local East Hill expert, lives in East Hill and knows its older streets well.
To see which character homes are for sale right now, browse the live MLS® search for East Hill homes for sale.
FAQ
When is BC Heritage Week?
It's held every February. In 2026 it ran from February 16 to 22. Check Heritage BC and Tourism Vernon for local events each year.
Can I tour the inside of historic homes on East Hill?
Most are private residences, but the Caetani Cultural Centre, in the 1895 Sommerville house on Pleasant Valley Road, offers guided and self-guided tours. Check current times before visiting.
Are there grants for heritage homes in Vernon?
Owners of properties on the Vernon Heritage Register may qualify for the Heritage Retention Grant, up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $500 per year.
Curious about owning a piece of East Hill history? Call or text Sean at 778-363-0542, or call the Sarah AI info hotline any time at 604-227-4810.
Featured photo: stock image from Unsplash, for illustration.
