WHA takes a spring stroll down Victoria Ave.

The Westmount Historical Association is now taking the opportunity to look in on one of these institutions in each of its monthly lectures, collectively titled A Visit to Westmount's Victoria Avenue.

The series begins this Thursday, Feb. 18, when architect Elizabeth Shapiro discusses the history of a truly venerable Westmount landmark — the old Fire Station No. 2 at the corner of Victoria Ave. and The Boulevard. Built back in the days of horse-drawn vehicles, this second station was constructed at the top of the hill so that the horses would not have to gallop uphill to answer calls in upper Westmount. The historic building is now divided into residential units, and Shapiro was one of the architects who designed the transformation — over a period of 15 years and three different clients.

The lecture series continues on Thursday, March 18 with Urban Planner Justin Bur, who will discuss the history and social significance of the old Westmount train station — long considered to be Westmount's gateway to the rest of North America. Anyone growing up in Westmount during the heyday of railway transportation is sure to have fond memories of the familiar old building that still stands at the foot of Victoria Avenue.

On April 15, the guest speaker will be well-known grocer Graham Fletcher, who will be on hand to discuss his Metro supermarket, a hub of business activity at the busy corner of Sherbrooke Street. With emphasis on the renovations to the store and his own strong sense of community, Fletcher will outline the history of the store, which had been known to many Westmounters as a Steinberg supermarket until 1992.

The lecture series concludes on May 20 with a look inside the Visual Arts Centre, which has been open at the corner of Victoria and Somerville Avenue since 1974. Guest speaker Virginia McClure will talk about how the Visual Arts Centre evolved from the Potter's Club, which first opened its doors in 1946, to an important creative institution that currently boasts an enrolment of more than 3,500 students. McClure is well-known in the Westmount community as a potter, painter, and the author of the memoir The Yellow Painting.

Organized by Doreen Lindsay and Caroline Breslaw of the Westmount Historical Association, all lectures will be held in the Westmount Room of the Westmount Public Library, 4574 Sherbrooke St. W. from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is free for WHA members, $5 for non-members, at the door. For more information, call the WHA at 514-989-5510 or 514-932-6688.