Additionally, more than 2000 works from the collection are on display in buildings across campus and in the community,[2] underlining the educational and community-building roles of art.

[7] In 2000, the gallery received a bequest from Michael C. Williams which included the donation of his extensive art collection and several downtown properties.

[5] The adoption of the umbrella term pays homage and recognizes the many donors that have contributed to the collection.

[12] Upon moving to Victoria, the Maltwoods decided to develop a museum to house their art, with the aim of one day donating it to the city.

[13] The couple's collection consisted of household items from various artistic periods, such as English Gothic furniture, furniture from the Tudor and Stuart periods, Oriental and Persian antique rugs and Oriental silk hanging scrolls, paintings from Paris, London, and Peiping, modern oil and watercolour paintings, Chinese and Middle Eastern ceramics and figurines, and Moslem pottery and metalwork,[14] in addition to Katharine Maltwood’s own works, writings, and journals.

The Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery currently conserves the art objects from the donation, while the University of Victoria’s Special Collections conserves the Maltwoods’ personal letters, journals, and books, including Katharine's writing.

[16] Valued at $17 million, the donation marks the University of Victoria’s largest gift to date.

In 1977, his attention was drawn to the city’s heritage, resulting in many building restoration projects in the downtown area.

His first urban renewal was the Maynard Court area on Johnson Street, followed by the 1890s era Grand Central Hotel and Victoria Box and Paper Complex,[17] for which he was given the North American Award of Merit from New York’s Downtown Research and Development Centre.

The hotel still displays many works from the Williams collection year round in its many suites and public areas.

[5] The mansion was sold to create a dedicated gallery space on campus which opened in the University Centre in 1978.

In 2000, the gallery received a bequest from Michael Williams which included the donation of his extensive art collection and several downtown properties.