Point Ellice House – A slice of history in Victoria preserved!
**March 23, 2023 … Sad to announce that Point Ellice House is closing for good! Fingers crossed that at some point they can secure the funding they need to stay open. Such a wonderful piece of history!!**
Point Ellice House is a unique treasure located on the Gorge Waterway very close to downtown Victoria, BC. What makes this home so unique is that it has remained in the hands of the same family for three generations with all of it’s original contents and without any substantial redecorations. What you will see, including the wall paper, the fixtures, the furnishings, the china, is original and covers the period from 1890 through 1920 and provides a rare opportunity to see one of North America’s largest collections of late Victorian and early Edwardian objects in an original, untouched Victorian home. It is now a National Historic Site.
Ironically, this special gem is located in the middle of a dirty industrial area very close to downtown Victoria, but don’t be deterred by the surrounding grime. Once through the gate you’ll be transported to a lovely pastoral setting.
The Gardens
The Living Room
The Kitchen
The History of Point Ellice House
Point Ellice House was originally built between 1861 and 1864 and was purchased by Peter O’Reilly and his wife Caroline Trutch in 1867. Peter O’Reilly was one of the first Gold Commissioners in BC and later a judge. Caroline’s brother, Joseph Trutch was the first Lt. Governor of the province. The house remained in the family’s possession for 108 years and was sold with all its belongings to the Province of BC in 1975 by O’Reilly’s grandson John and his wife Inez.
The O’Reilly Family
Point Ellice House
Point Ellice House Gardens
The gardens are open to the public from 12:00 AM to 4:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. Stay a while to enjoy the heritage roses, hollyhocks, kitchen garden, heart-shaped flower bed, and admire the original Victorian design which is beautifully maintained by skilled volunteer gardeners.
Tour Historic Point Ellice House and the Collection
Take an amazing self-guided tour of the house and see one of North America’s largest collections of original artifacts from the Victorian period.
Hours of Operation & Rates
Saturdays and Sundays, 12pm to 4pm
Admission is by donation. We suggest a minimum of $5 per person.
Find Point Ellice House
Find Point Ellice House
2616 Pleasant Street
Victoria, British Columbia
V8T 4V3
Tel: 250-380-6506E-mail: info@PointElliceHouse.com
Did you know You can access Point Ellice House by car, bus, or water! Access by water is possible via Water Taxi on the Gorge waterway at the Point Ellice House dock. Please make sure to stop by the Visitor Centre immediately after getting off the Harbour Ferry. The Visitor Centre is located on the other side of the property. Contact Victoria Harbour Ferries to arrange transport.
Point Ellice House Dock
[…] and the Fawcetts had built elegant homes along the banks of the waterway.The O’Reilly house Point Ellice House, still stands today. It is a relatively unknown gem in the city, and is open to the public. In my […]
[…] and the Fawcetts had built elegant homes along the banks of the waterway.The O’Reilly house Point Ellice House, still stands today. It is a relatively unknown gem in the city, and is open to the public. In my […]