249 replies to this topic

[AllseeingEye]

We went to a lot of National Trust mansions in England and typically instead of having the building surrounded by blacktopped parking like Craigdarroch the parking is set off at the far end of the property. Paths and driveways are fine gravel and the rest is lawn and gardens done in the style of the era. A much better showcase.

 

Agree completely; then again of course in England attractions they call castles....actually are....well, castles - and not over-sized country houses.

 

Just another example of 'classic' Victoria tourist attractions far too often being of the entirely faux pas/fake variety. And not remotely missed at least by me. We can and should be doing so much better with stunning natural wilderness literally parked at our front door and unique FIrst Nations culture that should be front and center of much of our tourism planning and marketing.

 

Europeans, like my Brit relatives especially go apes*** over First Nations, or at least how they perceive them based on popular culture. But with 1000 years of their own history they could frankly care less about a 100 year old hotel (Empress) or a Bug Zoo. I well recall one damning comment about Victoria on one of Britain's largest online travel outfits a few years ago:

 

"....You just know any place whose biggest claim to fame is a musty old hotel - referring to the Empress several years ago, before Bosa took it over and dragged it kicking and screaming into the modern age - isn't worth spending even a single night. Give this sleepy and generally uninteresting town a miss entirely especially if pressed for time, and focus on Vancouver and Whistler, which are both actually worth your time and money". Ouch.....

[Mike K.]

"....You just know any place whose biggest claim to fame is a musty old hotel - referring to the Empress several years ago, before Bosa took it over and dragged it kicking and screaming into the modern age - isn't worth spending even a single night. Give this sleepy and generally uninteresting town a miss entirely especially if pressed for time, and focus on Vancouver and Whistler, which are both actually worth your time and money". Ouch.....

 

That's not ouch, that just some hoser spouting off nonsense. Don't take that stuff to heart, ASE.

[Rob Randall]

Agree completely; then again of course in England attractions they call castles....actually are....well, castles - and not over-sized country houses.

 

True, there are many jaw-dropping estates that are absolutely unbelievable.. But some of the most memorable were the small country houses just because of the amazing stories behind them. Like the eccentric Snowshill Manor.

 

Until recently, tourists have been fed a glossed-over version of Victoria history. A true accounting will incorporate the more complicated aspects of our attractions, like Craigdarroch's beginnings as a home to a ruthless coal baron and Point Ellice's ties to the unfair Reserve system.

[Victoria Watcher]

Until recently, tourists have been fed a glossed-over version of Victoria history. A true accounting will incorporate the more complicated aspects of our attractions, like Craigdarroch's beginnings as a home to a ruthless coal baron and Point Ellice's ties to the unfair Reserve system.

 

and with luck the bug zoo will also deal with the unpleasant historical past of locusts etc.  the quran mentions locusts but i see nothing at the zoo remarking on that.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 February 2020 - 03:55 PM.

[todd]

if miniature world quintupled in size would it be miniature anymore?

 

The scale wouldn't necessarily change just the building.

[Rosie's Boy]

That disparaging remark about Victoria must have been by a young person.  Some of the navy guys I used to hang out with called our fair city "home of the newly wed and nearly dead".  I usually replied that "you have to know where to LOOK for the action"

[proudy99]

http://www.classicvictoriabc.com

For those that have very fond memories of Beloved Victoria B.C. attractions.

Old is the new new. 

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[Mike K.]

On Point Ellice House’s closure: “l don't know what to say. I did everything I could - letters from community groups/businesses, news stories, meetings with ministers/MLAs. It didn't change the trajectory the government has set for its heritage sites. To my staff, our volunteers, and the community - I'm sorry.” -Director Kelly Black.

[Victoria Watcher]

On Point Ellice House’s closure: “l don't know what to say. I did everything I could - letters from community groups/businesses, news stories, meetings with ministers/MLAs. It didn't change the trajectory the government has set for its heritage sites. To my staff, our volunteers, and the community - I'm sorry.” -Director

 

Did he ask for volunteer labour, materials and expertise?

 

Or just kept asking for that $325,000?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 March 2023 - 06:14 AM.

[Blair M.]

The funding combined with the revenue are more than enough to keep the attraction open.

The NFP has stated clearly that it had very expensive plans well in excess of offering a tour of an 1800's living arrangement for a well placed Provincial employee.

It sounds like the NFP wanted to delve deeply into an agenda highlighting the houses relationship with First Nations, expanding far beyond simply offering a short tour of a lovely home and garden from the 1800's.

 

Being completely surrounded by garbage dumps and gravel pits won't ever make it an easy sell to tourists, but it would seem the Province plans on seeking a new operator, and re-opening the house to the public as soon as they can.