Government House Costume Museum 3

I realized yesterday that despite two posts devoted to the Costume Museum I had not included any photos of actual costumes. Here are a couple. Above is a striking ensemble worn on official occasions by a former female Lieutenant-Governor that incorporates First Nations motifs. Below is a closeup of a jacket worn by a former male Lieutenant-Governor that uses a lot of gold braid - real gold braid - and there is so much of it on this jacket that it weighs in at thirty-five pounds (about fifteen kilos).

Government House Garden

Government House is perched on the crest of a steep rise overlooking the Strait and there are lovely views from extensive gardens that surround the main building. Here is a view looking southwest towards the Olympic Peninsula. The gardens are open to the public and are well worth a visit.

Government House Costume Museum 2

As you can see by today's photo and yesterday's, the Government House Costume Museum has a lot more to offer than clothing.

Government House Costume Museum

Fern and I went to Government House in the early spring and we returned there about a week ago to take lunch in Cary Castle Mews on the Government House Grounds. Lunch was good but the real treat was a visit to the Costume Museum, also located in the Mews. As well as many of the Lieutenant Governors' ceremonial costumes it has period costumes from the 19th century and several dioramas from the same era, two of which are pictured here.

Government House 2

Government House has a wonderful collection of art including some from First Nations artists. Above is a magnificent early Bill Reid work. We were informed that the unusual work below is NOT a totem pole but is a "House Pole" meant for interior decoration.

Government House

On Saturday Fern and I took advantage of one of the occasional tours offered at Government House. Government House is the residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the Queen's representative in our province. It is also the official residence of the Queen when she and other members of the royal family visit here. Visiting dignitaries such as heads of state are also accommodated here from time to time and the Lieutenant Governor acts as host on behalf of the people of British Columbia. It was a fascinating tour and I recommend it highly to anyone who has the opportunity while visiting here. The building and its furnishings and artworks were rendered doubly interesting by the charm and enthusiasm of our knowledgeable tour guide. You can find out more about Government House and future tour dates on their website: http://www.ltgov.bc.ca/ and Wikipedia also has a comprehensive article. Below is the dining room where small (up to 40 guests) state dinners are held.

Sir James Douglas, KCB

Since my last visit to Government House there's another new addition to the garden opposite the entrance. The Hosaqami Totem Pole I posted a photo of yesterday stands in the garden to the west of the entrance. Equidistant to the east is this new statue of the first governor of British Columbia, Sir James Douglas, KCB. Sir James was also the founder of the city of Victoria. The bronze statue is the work of sculptor Armando Barbon and was unveiled here on the 21st of May, 2012.

Hosaqami

Hosaqami is the name of the new totem pole erected on the grounds of BC Government House last weekend. It's a lovely pole still so new that you can smell the cedar shavings when you get up close. A great deal of history is represented in the way this pole was created and erected. Read HERE what the Globe and Mail has to say about it. Government House is the residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the local representative of Her Majesty the Queen. We'll have a little closer look at Government House and its grounds over the next few days.

NOT the Coit Tower

Whilst riding around the Fairfield neighborhood the other day I decided to visit Moss Rock Park, a small rocky hilltop, also known as Fairfield Hill. Photographers are a bit like goats in wanting always to get to the highest point available. Anyway, while I was up there I noticed a very tall strange looking tower that I hadn't really noticed before. Aha, I thought, the Coit Tower! Then I remembered that the Coit Tower is in San Francisco. After leaving the Abkhazi Garden (also in Fairfield) a few days later, we decided to try to get close to this mystery tower. It's in the Rockland neighborhood, off Laurel Lane, but it's not possible to get to it since it is surrounded by private homes. It's a water tower, 128 feet tall, built in 1909. It's no longer in use though for 25 years it bore a 22 foot neon flame that celebrated the centenary of the City of Victoria. This information comes from the Rockland Neighborhood Association Heritage Walking Tour. It's an interesting structure. The photo to the left was taken from Moss Rock Park to show this tower. (Click to enlarge.) The large gray house to the left of the tower is Government House, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

Cherry Blossoms 2009

What would a photoblog be without a few cherry blossoms in the spring? So, here's mine for this year, captured in the grounds of Government House here in Victoria, a lovely place well worth a visit and one to which I will be returning soon (when it's NOT raining).