eS

TRIBUNE PHOTO — TOM MORRIS

An all-Canadian effort —

The original Bethune House was listed
with the Toronto Historical Board as of “ar-
chitectural and historical importance’. Built
as a pair of semi-detached houses in 1881,
the ‘building had well-proportioned win-
dows, fine brick work and mansard roof.

Today the new Buck-Bethune Educational
Centre still reflects its original Victorian styl-
ing but its interior offers the most up-to-date
facilities.

The mason company which completed the
brick-work is up for an award for their efforts.
The building itself blends into the character

of the street, lined with homes and offices in
the same style.

On June 24, 1980 the original structure was
fire-bombed by fascist-minded persons. It
was undergoing extensive renovations at
the time.

in a truly all-Canada effort, thousands of
donors from all across Canada raised more
than $500,000 for its reconstruction.

Rebuilding went on for over a year, ‘until
the building today stands as a monument to
the two great Canadians whose names it
bears and to the working people of Canada
who built it.

The name of Tim Buck will be forever linked to the Party he helped
form and led for more than 30 years —the Communist Party of Canada.

A machinist, an outstanding trade unionist, a theoretician, a genuine
leader of working people, all of these were ernbodied in the life of Tim
Buck. :

As general secretary of the Communist Party and an executive
member of the Communist International, Buck earned the respect of
socialist-minded and progressive people around the world.

The origina! Bethune House

- The second floor landing, featuring a reception area to the right of
the photo is completely carpeted in grey wool. Plant boxes en-
close the balcony looking down to the first floor. A skylight,
coupled with track lighting brightens the meeting hall to the right.

fRIBUNE PHOTOS

Opening off the landing are offices. There are 14 spacious offices |
in the building, three meeting halls, washrooms equipped with
showers, a small apartment for the caretaking staff, a fully

The Tim Buck-Norman Bethune Educational Centre as it stands today, completely reconstructed
in its original Victorian style. The visitor receives a “surprise effect’ however when greeted by the

completely modern interior.

PACIFIC TRIBUNE—NOV. 13, 1981—Page 6

equiped kitchen and a bar.

The mural by the late, progressive artist, Avrom Yanovsky, dedicated to Dr. nor
Bethune hangs in the main hall of the building. Itwas rescued by workmen from thé
which destroyed the original building. Aithough relatively unscathed, it bears 30"
smoke marks from the blaze.