The Keeper of Illahie
Established in 1994, the John Dean Nature House is a repository organization committed to the collection and preservation of maps, books, papers and images concerning anything to do with John Dean and the provincial park.
The archive holds:
- a copy of all maps, 1852 onwards;
- books that reference John Dean;
- a complete assembly of all related property histories;
- 700 pre-1989 photographs, indexed and cross referenced;
- 6,000 post-1989 photographs, indexed and cross referenced;
- a full assembly of park history topics, indexed and cross referenced;
- art and portraits; and
- artifacts.
The John Dean Nature House has a mandated plan that ensures:
- secure storage of materials;
- proper succession planning;
- continued research;
- continued financial investment;
- continued collection growth;
- continued relationships with families;
- information access to trusted citizens;
- information access via producing social-cultural history books;
- park knowledge; and
- park presentation.
Jarrett in Kandahar, Afghanistan – April 2002
Jarrett Thomas Teague is the current Keeper of Illahie. He’s been volunteering in John Dean Park since 1989, age 15.
Contact Info:
Jarrett Teague
jarrettteague@yahoo.ca
250-642-3031
CBC Radio 1, On The Island, April 20, 2009. Host Gregor Craigie interviews Jarrett – 100th anniversary, John Dean’s Cabin Diary.
SHAW, Shoreline Magazine, June 10, 1996. Host Marolyn Stevens interviews Jarrett – 75th anniversary, John Dean Provincial Park.
BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection – Part 1
BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection – Part 2