Steveston Tram Winter Exhibit: LEGO Models of Historic Richmond Buildings
LEGO artist Peter Grant continues his quest to reconstruct old Richmond in building blocks. The latest creations by Richmond’s own “Lego Man” are on display at the Steveston Tram for the month of December as part of the Winter Tram celebrations.
These models are displayed alongside his recreation of Tram Car 1220 and the Steveston Tram building, which are also meticulously rendered in LEGO. This year’s miniature models feature a beloved Steveston landmark and former church, a one-room school and two charming farmhouses.
The Methodist Church is today the Richmond Hospital Healthcare Auxiliary Thrift Store in Steveston, located at 3731 Chatham Street. Even though it has been years since a religious service was last held there, it is still considered Richmond’s oldest church building still in its original location. Peter has recreated the 1896 “chapel among the trees” in such detail that you can almost hear the organ music.
General Currie School is the original one-room schoolhouse that still stands at General Currie Elementary and was built in 1920. It is named after General Arthur Currie, a hero of the First World War, and the first Canadian commander and chief of the Canadian forces. The school was used until 1993, when it was finally replaced by the current school. Peter boldly faced the challenge to recreate the building’s details in LEGO, especially the wooden porch columns, segmented arch, half-timbered porch gable and decorative brackets.
This familiar building now stands at London Landing on Dyke Road. The quaint heritage home is named the Abercrombie House, and was originally constructed on River Road near No. 2 Road. The Abercrombie family were early settlers in Richmond’s Middle Arm community and built themselves an early Arts and Crafts-influenced farmhouse that includes a gable roof, curved heavy timber finials and asymmetrical open porches with square columns. Peter’s genius for LEGO shines through in the way he has cleverly managed to capture these intricate details with plastic blocks.
The same can be said for Peter’s build of another famous Richmond heritage home: The Rathburn House. Built in 1911 by George Washington Rathburn and later owned by the McBride family in the 1930s and 1940s, this Edwardian-era abode has a distinctive, blocky, wrap-around verandah that has translated perfectly in LEGO. The home’s current owners, the Mahals, were South Asian immigrants to BC in 1908 and are an integral part of Richmond’s cranberry industry. The family has worked tirelessly to preserve the heritage structure at No. 7 and Westminster Hwy.
Steveston Winter Tram
You can see these examples of Peter Grant’s work on display in the front window of the Steveston Tram museum from December 1 to 31, 2025. For more information on holiday events and activities happening at the Steveston Tram, please visit our Winter Tram page here. To see what is happening around Steveston Village in the month of December, check the Winter in the Village website.
