Victoria, BC - November 2000
By Barbara Ballard
November 11 is celebrated in Canada as Remembrance Day, and there are a number of ceremonies in remembrance of those who gave their lives in wars. It's a holiday weekend, so some places could be closed on the Monday. This is the perfect month (usually a rainy one) to take in some indoor activities.
All circus lovers take note. The circus has come to town in the form of Circus Magicus at the Royal British Columbia Museum. The excitement and history of the circus will be recreated until March 4, 2001, so mark your calendars if you plan to be in Victoria during this time.
More than 200 artifacts, historical drawings and photographs will be spotlighted in this exhibit that tells the story of the circus. The objects in the exhibit include props, sketches, models, posters and documents from collections in Europe, the US and Canada. On display is a giant Circus Model of more than 125,000 pieces. There is a collection of 96 reproductions of circus costumes that visitors can try on. Many special programs are supplementing the exhibit as performers put on programs. You can learn from trapeze artists how they perfect their craft, and actors will perform circus life vignettes.
To accompany this exhibit the National Geographic Imax Theatre is presenting a 3D and 2D large format film, entitled Journey of Man, created by the famous Cirque du Soleil. It features their performers and was shot in spectacular locations around the world. Each stage of man's journey from birth to maturity is introduced by one of the Cirque du Soleil acts. The film travels beneath the ocean, to the redwood forests, the Valley of Fire, and more.
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Helmcken House
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An interesting sidelight to the Museum, sitting right on its grounds, is Helmcken House, the home of a pioneer doctor and legislator and the oldest house in Victoria (1852). The doctor arrived at Fort Victoria from London to work for the Hudson's Bay Company. He met his wife shortly thereafter and they built the house. One of his daughters lived in it until 1939, and everything the family owned, including their papers is thus preserved for us to see today.
The doctor was instrumental in bringing medical care to Victoria and helping to establish its first hospital. There are many artifacts in the house, even an old medicine chest still filled with the doctor's bottles and medicines. The collection of his medical equipment is considered one of the finest in Canada.
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Emily Carr's House
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His most famous patient was Victoria painter, Emily Carr, whose house can also be toured. It was built in 1864. Emily Carr was the author of a book, "The Book of Small" about her daily life in the house, giving us an interesting picture of what life was like in the past. You can read excerpts from the book at the website, tour the house and even access on-line images of her artwork.
Unfortunately two other interesting heritage buildings are closed to the public (open for school programs only). However you can visit them on-line at these sites:
Craigflower Manor/Farmhouse
Craigflower Schoolhouse
For lovers of all things maritime, visit the Maritime Museum located in Bastion Square. It is housed in what was British Columbia's first provincial courthouse, built in 1889. Chief Justice Matthew Begbie (mentioned in an earlier article on Victoria's history) once handed out sentences here. The building has beautiful woodwork and vaulted ceilings.
British Columbia's marine history is told in themed galleries: early exploration, Captain Cook, Canadian Pacific steamships and Royal Navy. You'll discover fascinating historical facts. During the early 1860s, the Cariboo gold rush brought men and money to Victoria. However, there was a dearth of eligible young women for these men to court. A wealthy English heiress, Angela Coutts, funded a boat to carry 62 women to Victoria for the sole purpose of getting hitched. This happened in 1862 and proved to be so popular it was repeated soon after by another ship. I can just imagine all the men rushing to the barber's and the tailor's to spiff themselves up.
Essential Information
Check the Royal BC Museum's web site for opening and movie times at the Imax Theatre.
The Tourist Information Centre (953-2033) at the Inner Harbour can give you the current opening times of Emily Carr House. Hours and days vary depending on the time of year, and it's not always open.
The Maritime Museum is open daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm, except Christmas day.
Events
Victoria Art Gallery
From August 4 to November 26 will mount a special exhibition "Jade, the Ultimate Treasure of Ancient China". This exhibition is comprised of 120 exquisite objects of jade from the People's Republic of China. Most pieces are from archaeological digs and date from Neolithic times to the early 1900's.
The exhibition is the finest jade collection to ever go on tour from China. One of the most interesting pieces is the 2nd century mortuary jade suit of Princess Dou Wan, which is composed of 2156 plates of jade sewn with 703 grams of gold thread, estimated to take more than ten years to complete.
The Great Canadian Beer Festival
December 1 and 2. We mention it here again because tickets are on sale October 23, and this festival is very popular and sells out early. At the Victoria Conference Centre at the Empress Hotel. Contact: 250-383-2332 or email dave@gcbf.com.
A celebration of the brewer's craft. Only all natural beers are served and brewers are on hand to answer questions. Hop growers, masters, equipment suppliers and beer importers and distributors are also on the spot. Beer samples are $1 each. Admission by ticket is $10 by mail or at local outlets and includes a Festival Guide and 4-ounce tasting glass.
Christmas is Coming at the Butchart Gardens
From Nov.1-30. Historical tours of the gardens and greenhouse tours, wine and food pairing evenings, truffle, tea and gingerbread making. Seminars on evergreen trimmings, winter bouquets and wreaths. Artisan demonstrations and author readings.
Festival of Trees
November 25 at Empress Hotel. Fifty businesses decorate trees in the hotel's lobby to raise money for the Children's Hospital. Have a look.
Quirky Stuff
The Maritime Museum boasts the oldest working elevator in all of Canada - a cage with iron grillwork.
©2000 by Barbara Ballard. Reproduction of this work in whole or in part, including images, and reproduction in electronic media, without documented permission from the author is prohibited. Images courtesy Royal BC Museum and Heritage BC.
Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our North America Insiders page.
