Cultural and Historical Learning Opportunities

Full of colourful characters and enthralling tales, the city's history is carefully preserved in its many historic sites and heritage buildings.  From the Parliament Buildings and the distinctive architecture of the city's churches and historic cemeteries to the gun batteries of a former military fort and the fairy-tale turrets of an historic castle, Victoria's historic and cultural treasures always provide visitors with a thoroughly enjoyable pastime.

For more interesting facts about local history, please visit our Victoria Area History section in the About Victoria area of this site.

Emily Carr House
Centrally located, Emily Carr House offers its visitors a chance to gain an insight into Canada's first (and best known) independent artist and writer.

Emily was born in the Government Street house in 1871, a scant six months after British Columbia evolved from British colonial status to a province of the world's newest nation.  Carr used her brushes and pens, throughout her lifetime, to proclaim her pride in this part of Canada.

In the restored rooms of the 1864 house, enter into the same Victorian ambiance the Carr family knew in the 1870's; upstairs are several of the family's actual possessions, including some of Emily's pottery and sculpture.  One room is now used as the People's Gallery, to present the work of Canadian artists and, at the rear of the house, a small gift shop offers a remarkably varied selection of items produced by Victoria artists and potters.

Hours of Operation
Open mid-May to mid-October, daily, 10 am to 5 pm.  Special openings are scheduled at other times of the year, especially in December.

Craigdarroch Castle
This 39-room house features exquisite detailing in stone, stained glass, wrought iron and fine woods and is magnificently furnished.  With over 20,000 square feet of space, the house and gardens are restored exactly as they were originally built for coal magnate Robert Dunsmuir, who died the year before 1890, when it was completed.  Craigdarroch Castle is now a museum open for tours and special events.

Hours of Operation
Open in the low season, daily, 10 am to 4:30 pm; and June 15 to September 4, 9 am to 7 pm. Closed Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1).

Royal Roads University
The history of Royal Roads begins with James Dunsmuir (1851-1920), the coal and rail baron and Premier and Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia during the first decade of the 1900's.  In 1906, with a wish to establish an ancestral home, he purchased the Stuart estate, known as Hatley Park. He commissioned Samuel Maclure, a noted Victoria architect, to design a castle, and Messrs. Brett and Hall, landscape artists from Boston, Massachusetts, to plan the grounds and gardens.   

By 1909, the Castle was complete.  Its impressive stone exterior was matched by a lavish interior, featuring oak and rosewood panelling, teak floors, a baronial fireplace, and hand-crafted pewter fixtures.  The Dunsmuirs lived at Hatley Castle until 1937 when James’ widow, Laura, and daughter, Eleanor, died. At that time, the remaining family members resided either in California or London and so the estate was sold in its entirety to the federal government, in November 1940, for the incredibly low price of $75,000.

Needed as a naval officer training establishment, HMCS Royal Roads (named after an offshore naval anchorage) was commissioned in December 1940 to train short-term reserve officers for service in World War II.  In October 1942, its focus was switched to the training of regular force naval cadets and, in 1947, Royal Roads became the RCN-RCAF Joint Services College. The following year, with the admission of army cadets, it became the Canadian Services College Royal Roads. This evolved into Royal Roads Military College (RRMC) in 1968.  In February 1994, budgetary constraints compelled the Department of National Defence to announce the closure of Royal Roads Military College and in May 1995, RRMC graduated its final class of officer-cadets. 

Royal Roads University was established on June 21 1995, when the Royal Roads University Act was passed by the provincial legislature.  In July 1996, Royal Roads University commenced offering its own degree programs as an innovative 21st century university in a traditional 19th century setting.

Hours of Operation
Gardens are open daily, dawn to dusk.
Guided tours of the castle, gardens and museum are offered daily from 10 am-4pm.

Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites
There is much to see at these two popular oceanfront heritage sites only a 15 minute drive from downtown Victoria.  Picturesque Fisgard Lighthouse offers colourful displays that tell of ships wrecked and lives saved.  At adjacent Fort Rodd Hill, visitors can explore gun batteries and underground magazines built a century ago as well as searchlight emplacements, command posts and much more.  Signs, audio and video stations and friendly, knowledgeable staff tell the stories of these national historic sites.

Hours of Operation
Open March 1 to October 31,daily, 10 am to 5:30 pm; November 1 to February 28, daily, 9 am to 4:30 pm. 
Note: All buildings and exhibits close one half-hour before the site gates close.

Point Ellice House
Gold Rush Magistrate and Commissioner Peter O'Reilly acquired Point Ellice House in 1867 and many of Victoria's social elite gathered there.  The flowers in the luxuriant heritage gardens surrounding this rambling home accurately reflect the family's own notes about their Victorian favourites.  The property is like a verdant jewel amid the industries and businesses along the Victoria waterfront.

Overlooking the waters of Victoria's scenic Gorge Waterway, Point Ellice House is still where locals go to enjoy high tea.  Just as British Navy officers and other guests could do over a hundred years ago, you can still be dropped off at the dock. Travel over land or step aboard the Harbour Ferry in front of The Fairmont Empress Hotel and take a leisurely tour past Victoria's Old e Towne on your way to Point Ellice House.

Hours of Operation
Open mid-May to mid-September, daily, 10 am to 5 pm.
Note: The last high tea is served at 4 pm.

Royal British Columbia Museum
The Royal British Columbia Museum is a place of discovery.  Through three unique galleries, the museum showcases the human and natural history of British Columbia and features periodic exhibitions of international renown.  Highly realistic and inviting displays, such as the Ice Age and Coastal Forest dioramas, provide visitors with a sense of having truly experienced the authentic settings.

Hours of Operation, effective until March 4, 2001
Open Saturday through Wednesday, 9 am to 5 pm; Thursday and Friday 9 am to 7:45 pm.  Closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.