Skip to content

Miyazaki House

The Historic Miyazaki House in Lillooet, BC Canada

Menu
  • Home – Miyazaki House
  • News
    • Events
    • Heritage
    • Restoration
  • Contact Us
  • History
    • Doctor Masajiro Miyazaki
  • Lillooet Visitor Information Center
  • Society
    • Society
  • Venue
  • Privacy Policy
Menu

Doctor Masajiro Miyazaki

Doctor Masajiro Miyazaki was born in Japan in 1899 and emigrated to Canada in 1913. After graduating from the University of British Columbia, he was licensed as an Osteopath in Missouri in 1929.

Doctor Miyazaki

During W.W.II, Dr. Miyazaki and his family were interned at Bridge River (now South Shalalth). There fellow Japanese Canadian internees, First Nations, and BC Hydro employees consulted him for medical advice.

In 1944, Artie Phair’s love of photography took him to the town of Bridge River where by chance he met Dr. Miyazaki who was interned there with his family.

It is a credit to the character of both men that, on the basis of this one meeting, Artie drafted the petition that allowed the Miyazaki’s to relocate from the remote community of Bridge River and become the town doctor of Lillooet. Living alone in the family home at the time, he invited the Miyazaki family to move in with him. The family lived on the main floor and a front room was converted into Dr. Miyazaki’s office.

Doctor Masajiro Miyazaki Became the Legal Owner of Longford House

Soon after, Artie opted to move to quarters behind the family store. However, lingering post-war restrictions prevented Dr. Miyazaki from purchasing the property outright. An arrangement with the house’s legal owner, Artie’s son Harold, enabled him to purchase the house. They made an agreement with a deposit and the balance would be paid when the ban was rescinded. In 1947, Dr. Miyazaki became the legal owner of Longford House.

During his time in Lillooet, Dr. Miyazaki contributed greatly to the community including garaging and dispatching its first ambulance service, serving three terms on the town council, founding and being an active member of the Volunteer Fire Department, keeping the town’s meteorological records, being active in the Boy Scouts, serving as President of the Historical Society and being a charter member of the Lillooet Elks and. Born into a Buddhist family, Dr. Miyazaki converted to Christianity while a medical student and was a devout member of the local United Church.

Doctor Masajiro Miyazaki Is Honoured For His Achievements

In 1950, Dr. Miyazaki became the first Japanese Canadian to hold public office when he was elected to Lillooet Town Council. To honour his many achievements and contributions, he was invested in to the Order of Canada in 1977.

Photo credit Aggie Malm – In 1970 Dr. Miyazaki was made the first Freeman of the village. Pictured left to right are Mayor Jondar Basran, Aggie and Arnold Malm with their two daughters Leslie and Margot, the honored guests Dr. and Mrs. Miyazaki and Mrs. Cahill. Aggie said, “It was a privilege to attend this occasion as I had lived with the Miyazaki’s for two years before I was married. The photo was taken in Lillooet’s old community hall.

His Gift To Lillooet

In 1983, recurrent kidney problems forced Masajiro Miyazaki to move to Kamloops to live with his daughter. Prior to his passing in 1984, his parting gift to the people of Lillooet was the very home he was prohibited from purchasing in 1946. It is now known as the Miyazaki House and his office is preserved as he left it.

How Do People Remember Doctor Masajiro Miyazaki?

With fondness and admiration. Memories of Doctor Masajiro Miyazaki documents the heartwarming and inspirational stories of some of his patients and fellow citizens.

    Recent Posts

    • Conservation and Restoration Of The Miyazaki House
    • Veils Art Exhibition and Sale
    • White Picket Fence at the Miyazaki House
    • Mixalh Robert Narcisse’s Art Show and Sale
    • What The Miyazaki House Looked Like

    Sorry. This form is no longer accepting new submissions.

    Recent Comments

    1. Conservation and Restoration Of The Miyazaki House - Miyazaki House on White Picket Fence at the Miyazaki House
    2. Mark on What The Miyazaki House Looked Like
    3. Anna on Remembering Dr. Miyazaki

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • History
      • Doctor Masajiro Miyazaki
    • Home - Miyazaki House
    • Lillooet Visitor Information Center
    • News
    • Privacy Policy
    • Society
    • Venue

    Categories

    • Events
    • Heritage
    • Miyazaki House Society
    • Restoration

    Oops! We could not locate your form.

    • Contact Us
    • History
      • Doctor Masajiro Miyazaki
    • Home - Miyazaki House
    • Lillooet Visitor Information Center
    • News
    • Privacy Policy
    • Society
    • Venue

    The Miyazaki House is located on the unceded territory of the St'at'imc.

    © 2023 Miyazaki House | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme