Mother Joseph came to Vancouver in 1856 from Montreal, Canada. She funded construction of the House of Providence and numerous other academies, hospitals, schools and orphanages in the Pacific Northwest by leading begging tours to mining camps throughout the region. Her statue is displayed in the National Statuary Hall in Washington D.C. 

The House of Providence is a three story brick masonry structure whose symmetry reflects Georgian inspiration. In 1969, when it ceased to function as a school, the Sisters of Providence sold the building, its sister buildings, and the seven acres they sit on to the Hidden family, whose ancestor Lowell Hidden was persuaded by Mother Joseph to manufacture the bricks used to build the structure.

• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Related information

Life and work of Mother Joseph: video of First Thursday lecture at Clark County Historical Museum

Open to Public:

The property is available for private events. For reservations call (360) 694-3271.