Dr. Kelly Black, Executive Director Historically, December was a time of celebration at Point Ellice House. For the O’Reilly family, it was December of 1867 when they moved into the house on Pleasant Street. December also brought the anniversary of Peter and Caroline O’Reilly’s marriage (December 15th, 1863), and the birth of their daughter, Kathleen […]
December at Point Ellice House Read More »
French Military M15 Adrian Helmet and Royal Canadian Air Force Group Portrait Lisa Wilson (Curatorial Assistant) and Kelly Black (Executive Director) November was a time of remembrance at Point Ellice House. To acknowledge those who have served in conflicts around the world , we displayed two artifacts that connect Point Ellice House and the O’Reilly
November’s Artifacts of the Month Read More »
Lisa Wilson, Curatorial Assistant (Point Ellice House Museum & Gardens) For October, our Artifact of the Month was an item that reminds us of spending time outdoors during the fall. This three-piece Thermos set was likely owned by Frank or Jack O’Reilly and used to bring warm beverages and snacks on hunting and fishing trips.
October’s Artifact: Thermos Set with Leather Case Read More »
Lisa Wilson, Curatorial Assistant (Point Ellice House Museum & Gardens) Every month at Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens we select an artifact for our volunteer interpreters to show visitors. This new program is exciting as it offers an opportunity for our interpreters to handle and learn about an artifact, while visitors get to view
Artifact of the Month at Point Ellice House Read More »
Guest post by Tim Fitzthum, Point Ellice House Volunteer Interpreter Visitors to Point Ellice House Museum & Gardens are sometimes inspired to share their knowledge, stories, and photographs relating to Point Ellice House or other aspects of local history. This shared knowledge adds to our understanding of local history and reveals aspects of the Point
The Search for Caroline O’Reilly’s Grave Read More »
Point Ellice House, Museum & Gardens National Historic Site is a green oasis surrounded by industrial lands on the shores of the Selkirk Water. The Point Ellice House shore is a component of the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary and the Victoria “naturehood,” as recognized by Nature Canada. The site’s vegetated shoreline was restored in
Point Ellice House & Victoria’s Migratory Bird Sanctuary Read More »
When it was first built in the early 1860s, Point Ellice House was a semi-rural estate, located quite a distance from the very small downtown of Victoria. In the many years since, the other grand homes and residences around Point Ellice House have disappeared. Today, the house and gardens are an oasis in the midst
Rock Bay – One of Victoria’s Best Kept Secrets Read More »
Welcome! This is a space to share stories and information about the history of Vancouver Island, including posts from our past work as managers of Point Ellice House Museum & Gardens in Victoria (2019 to 2023). We hope you enjoy reading and that it encourages you to visit our local historic sites and maybe it
Welcome to the Vancouver Island Local History Blog Read More »
Last week at Point Ellice House, our Head Gardener Sheila and volunteer Tim were working around the circular drive, trimming holly trees and tidying up the garden beds. As they trimmed back holly branches, they uncovered an enormous stump, likely a horse chestnut tree planted by Peter O’Reilly in the 1870s. The stump was new
Uncovering the Stories of Point Ellice House Read More »
