It is, a society runs is and it’s open to the public for viewing, they’ve even tracked down some of the original furnishings that were sold at auction after she died. It’s absolutely stunning at Christmas
How can one pick a favorite room in this beauty? Although, I will say, my favorite part of this tour is in knowing this fabulous castle been spared the wrecking ball. Think of the people who can actually stand in her glory and feel the grandeur of yesteryear surrounding them, still. Kudos to the people who so lovingly keep her available for the Public to enjoy.
What a gorgeous mansion, and I am so glad that it still exists! I love all the carved woodwork and those stained-glass windows. It looks elegant and opulent, yet still looks very livable and comfortable. I would love to visit it someday. Thanks again, for another great house tour!
This is an absolutely beautiful home!! All of it! I particularly love the alcoves and stained glass windows. The woodwork is lovely too. Like I said, I love it all!
I love everything about this house- the warm woodwork, the way the rooms seem to be cozy, even though they`re huge. I would have loved to have grown up here. It would have been so much fun as a kid exploring all the nooks and crannies. Have you noticed how, in so many cases, the people that build these magnificent places never get to enjoy them for long? Such a shame but at least we get to enjoy and admire them.
Over many years, this castle has been one of the prized destinations to lovely Victoria. My favorite parts are the organ in the staircase, all of the woodworking, and the glorious views from the upper windows. A continuing piece of work for many volunteers and donors, the castle is a nice (downhill!) walk into the city. Thank you so much for featuring a tiny bite of this era in far away Canada! (Seattleite)
Amazing! I love all of the stained glass windows. I wish buildings still incorporated stain glass accents. You can't even find front doors that use colored glass (and that is minimal). Glad it is still standing and now a museum.
WOW...new one on me Ken....I do love this house a bunch. The exterior is stunning and beautiful! The grand staircase is amazing and I do love the stained glass and many styles. Happy Sunday!
I love the billiards room and the overall look of the exterior. That stained wood on wood on wood with a touch of wood staircase was a little too much for my liking, but it was a cool design with a little less. The dining room was dark with even more wood. My favorite thing was seeing it all in color!
I've lived a few blocks from Craigdarroch since 1981. Never been inside it. I''ll have to check it out sometime. Thanks for this video. Interesting channel -- and great to see the number of viewers increasing.
I grew up in Rockland, a block away from Craigdarroch in the '70s, and early 80s...used to run around the house much to the dismay of the volunteer staff of the time ...searching for the ghost of a little girl that was supposed to haunt the house...didn't have an admission fee back then....so we returned many times searching...never saw the girl.
Thanks for another great video. I had the privilege to visit in person many years ago and was blown away by the staircase. This house is definitely among the best of the best.
While in the Victoria area, you should check out Hatley Castle on the grounds of Royal Roads University (formerly Royal Roads Military College) in Colwood.
Our grandkid had their 12th birthday there. It was themed around the movie "The Boy" because the movie was shot there, with a birthday cake with a picture of Brahms on the top. Had tea and a tour, it was great 🤗👍
I’ve been here it’s positioned beautifully to have the best views. Talulah Bankhead was connected to another mansion on Vancouver Island the family built - it’s next to the Mansion used in the X-Men movies
One of my favorites so far. Stunning details from the beautiful to whimsical. This house has a personality all its own. Loved it all. Always am saddened when I hear the owner died before being able to enjoy their homes.
Hey Ken, would you ever consider covering any houses in Utah like the McCune Mansion or the Governors Mansion? Both brilliant pieces of architecture and fascinating history.
I don't know why, but the Grand Staircase took me to the Grand Staircase on the Titanic, it just needed a clock. The pride of craftsmanship of the workers shows. I looks like the home of Lex Luther from the TV show Smallville.
I'm surprised you didn't show the unbelievably beautiful ceiling in the dining room! It has to one of the best I've seen in a residential home. Great video though!
The narrator mis-pronounces the name of the castle; it’s Craig - DARE - ock. I was born and raised in Victoria over 70 years ago and have never heard it pronounced differently. It is a magnificent and awe-inspiring home that feels warm and inviting, despite its size. It’s currently undergoing more work to restore the original castle. You must not visit Victoria without seeing this castle.
@@LarsOfMars. in Victoria, British Columbia , where this castle stands, it is pronounced the way I explained above. Perhaps it is pronounced differently in Gaelic, but not here.
Just try and heat that place with a staircase like that. Very beautiful. I bet in the Canadian summer's you just open.the top floor windows and the top of the towers and a few lower windows and this home cools down real well.
It’s not that cold in Victoria, the climate is similar to California, we do get snow, however it’s only usually around for 1 - 3 days and it’s less than an inch and that’s not until January, then it’s back to weeding and cutting the grass
Craig Darroch - emphasis is on the "Dar" syllable. Also, the southern coast of BC is one of the mildest climates in Canada, never having experienced the "harsh Canadian winters" to which you allude.
A mild climate in canada is still extreme for most. I was in victoria about 20 years ago and it snowed 2 ft of snow and was FREEZING cold. Perspective matters. i would be willing to bet that the majority of this channels fans are south of the canadian border 🤣
On the rare occasion that it ever snows at all in Victoria the snow seldom lasts more than a few days. We look on the west coast as la-la land compared to winter in the rest of the country.
Sad that very shortly after the Portland, Oregon architect designed the castle, central heating came along. Being ROCK it was almost impossible to retro-fit, so became very expensive to maintain.
Beautiful castle, built on the bones of coal miners. How long will Society praise the accomplishments of those who make their fortunes on the poverty of millions? “It happened in an instant, the mass loss of life in the coal mines. At least, that was the case for those lucky enough to die immediately. Those who fought for survival in the dim, smoky underground maze had an unfortunate few seconds, minutes, or even hours to process the horrific experience. Some suffocated and perished in clouds of smoke and gravel. Some endured the hellish sensation of being roasted alive. Some managed to catch a glimpse of the outside, just as the ceilings gave way and collapsed on top of their fleeing bodies. Sixty workers succumbed to such conditions in the Wellington coal mine in Nanaimo on January 24, 1888, leaving the rest of Nanaimo to literally clean up the ashes. This mine belonged to Robert Dunsmuir, the wealthy capitalist of late 19th century Vancouver Island, mostly known today as the creator of Victoria’s Craigdarroch Castle.”
Intersting use of the word castle. The person who built this must have had slight delusions of grandeur, and had certainly not visited the castles of Europe. As this is a standard sized manor house and bears no resemblance in size to any thing termed a castle this side of the pond.
The Dunsmuirs never referred to the house as a castle. It was simply named Craigdarroch. It was the people of Victoria who called it a castle before it was even finished and the name stuck. It was built on the highest point of land within the city of Victoria and is visible for miles around.
He also built many other palatial homes in Victoria, one is at Royal Roads, there were 2 along the gorge waterway (on each side of the water) and another called Spencer Castle for his daughter to have when she married, there’s schools named after him
@@reasonablerandysRobert Dunsmuir built only one home in Victoria. Hatley (Royal Roads) was built by his son, James Dunsmuir, who previously built Burleith on the Gorge. Across from Burleith was Ashnola which was the home of James' sister Emily. Spencer "castle" was built by David Spencer who owned a chain of department stores and had no connection to the Dunsmuirs.
@@karenfindlay4185 At least I managed to find it. I’ve been to Victoria probably five or six times, the first time on a band trip in high school, but while I found that castle, I never managed to get over to the other one, Hatley Castle. If I’d known it would someday be the X-Mansion, I’d have tried harder☹️ I mean, what kind of an X-Men fan was I anyway? 🤬 Grumble, grumble
@@rickdrais9737 LOL! Right? I haven’t been to Hatley too often, but both castles are gorgeous. Hatley has the advantage of surrounding gardens; if you get a chance to visit Government House, there are lovely gardens, two small museums and a tea house. There are also free open air concerts in July.
