Nearly 50 VMNC members and their partners assembled in two groups on a breezy but beautiful June mid-day on the magnificent grounds of Government House, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
The Estate, located on the traditional territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, is a National Historic Site comprising 36 acres.
Highlights of the Garden Tour
Some, like myself, joined the optional hour-long garden tour prior to the Government House Tour. Arthur Timms, a highly experienced head gardener and one of its 175 volunteers, led our tour through the splendid and diverse sections of the expansive gardens. Along the way we viewed rhododendrons of many colours and varieties, including an Indonesian “tree” specimen over 100 years old. Alongside the gates to the Estate we marveled at the magisterial sequioiadendron giganteum, commonly known as a type of giant redwood once thought to be extinct. Emerging into full sun, we admired the precise geometrical layout of one of the two beautiful rose gardens. Walking behind Government House, we visited the garden area that Arthur tends and that has been partially constructed from stone discarded from an earlier version of Government House. From this vantage point we were able to overlook the slopes below which comprise much of the 60 percent of the Estate devoted to a nature preserve. Coming around the far side of the residence, we saw in a distance the Cary Castle Mews, which house the Tea Room, Costume Museum and Interpretive Centre. You may wish to visit the grounds, with few exceptions, daily from sunrise to sunset, free of charge. If you do, plan to spend some time in the Mews to travel back in time to the early days of our remarkable history. Enjoy!
Highlights of the Government House Tour
Our two tour groups were ably led by Peter Lowens and Wally Lazaruck, two VMNC volunteers. Our docents were Susan Erling-Tyrell and Valerie Raymond, two very knowledgeable and informative guides. My group was let by Valerie, who has had vast diplomatic experience and who has a keen appreciation for both our parliamentary system of government and our historical roots. We could not have visited at a more opportune time nor had a better guide given the outcome of the recent election and the Honourable Judith Guichon’s role in the aftermath of the election of a minority government.
Touring Government House is an amazing history lesson. Walking up the steps and through the porte cochère, the only remaining portion of the residence destroyed in an earlier fire (two residences were razed, one in 1899 and the other in 1957), you enter a foyer with portraits of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip across from which a First Nations pole carving signifying reconciliation faces them. Moving along corridors and into rooms weighty with historical significance we viewed portraits of past lieutenant governors, photos of visiting dignitaries, and symbols of historic occasions like the magnificent carving celebrating British Columbia’s centenary in 1958. There are paintings and precious objets d’art everywhere and everyone is significant. We even ascended the staircase that leads to the lieutenant governor’s private quarters adjacent to the guest accommodations most recently occupied by Prince William and his wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge who were accompanied by their children George and Charlotte.
The tour was not only informative, but truly inspiring, all the more so as we prepare to celebrate Canada’s 150 years of Confederation and, next year, British Columbia’s 160th anniversary.
Kudos to Glenn Soares for organizing another terrific event for VMNC members, and a special think you to the volunteers who made the day memorable for all of us.
Review submitted by Member Ken Robson.
