When we saw that Victoria, BC, offered a tour of a castle, we figured we should probably check it out. Thankfully, Craigdarroch Castle was a stop on our Victoria Sightseeing Tour. The road to Craigdarroch Castle was narrow, so our tour bus dropped us at the bottom of the hill, and we walked up. This was cool because we got that “Oh Wow” moment when the castle appeared around the corner.
As soon as we entered, we were instructed to clean our shoes using a machine that brushes off dirt from the soles of the shoes. I’ve never seen anything like that before, but it sure beats wearing those booties over shoes! I appreciated that they asked us to do that. It means they have a lot of pride in the Castle and are serious about preservation.
Once we entered, we were able to explore just about all the rooms. Craigdarroch Castle, built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir during the reign of Queen Victoria, is now a National Historic Site. It has been meticulously restored, giving visitors a glimpse of privileged life in the 1890s.
As we walked around, it reminded me so much of Iolani Palace in Hawaii. Both homes had possessions sold and distributed long ago, and volunteers are now painstakingly trying to locate items found in old photos. Many people in Victoria probably have something that belonged to the Castle and have no idea. Craigdarroch Castle also reminded me a lot of Downton Abbey. How could it not?
A Piece of History and Beauty
The house itself is stunning. Apparently, they had to scrape several layers of wallpaper off the ceiling to reveal the original. The wall pieces were all shipped in from Chicago and were of a quality you can’t find anymore. I appreciated all the stained glass, especially on the top floor, where there is an observation room with views of Victoria.
The people of Craigdarroch Castle have done a marvelous job posting information about the home and the Dunsmuir Family. These signs really brought every room to life.
Robert and Joan Dunsmuir had two sons, eight daughters, and one child who died in infancy. Robert Dunsmuir gave the orders to start building Craigdarroch in 1887. Three Dunsmuir daughters remained unmarried, and the mansion would have been the perfect venue to launch them into married life. Unfortunately, he died in April 1889 before the house was completed.
After Robert’s death, Joan spent some time traveling in Europe. Her sons oversaw the completion of the construction while she was in Europe, and Joan, with her three unmarried daughters and two orphaned grandchildren, took up residence in 1890. There was a lot of family drama until Joan died in 1908.
My favorite things to look at were the authentic clothing on display. Even though I watch a lot of period pieces in movies and television, it’s so remarkable to see them so close that you can really take note of the details. It was easy to see how someone would need assistance to properly get dressed.
Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum, managed by the Castle Historical Museum Society, continues ongoing restoration efforts at 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria.
People interested in historic homes, great architecture, or juicy stories love to stop at Craigdarroch Castle! They have several volunteers stationed throughout the Castle who are incredibly knowledgeable about the Dunsmuir family and the restoration progress.
Getting to Craigdarroch National Historic Site by tour bus or taxi from Downtown Victoria is easy. Depending on crowds, you may want to allow yourself more than the 40-minute tour bus stop.
You can also opt for a self-guided tour of the castle at your preferred pace. If this historic site of Canada is something you love, you might as well visit a nearby historical museum or somewhere in British Columbia.
What else is there to do in Victoria, BC?
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Royal BC Museum in Victoria, BC
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