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September 1998 WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY Page 7 A SNAP SHOT FROM THE PAST: POINT ELUCE HOUSE By: Hden Davies In June I was in ^ctoria, B.C. for several days. During my visit I had an opportunity to visit a wonderful herita^ site that I am eager to tell you about. I spent a delightful afternoon at Point Ellice House. The house, described in Ihe.bro-chure as a ""rambling Italiante Wla,’* was home to the O’Reilly &mily for 108 years. As part of British Columbia’s social elite, the O’Reilly’s hosted many distinguished guests, but peiiu^s die most well known person to pay a visit was Sir John A. Macdonald who dropped in for tea in 1886. In the late nineteenth century the neighbourhood, officially referred to as Victoria Anns and Sell^k Water, was a foshidnable residential district, well known for its grand houses. The area has changed over the years, however, and now is largely industrial, but Point Ellice House survives, surrounded like a secret jewel by its beautiful gardens. The Honourable Peter O’Reilly, bom in England and educated in Ireland, emigrated to B.C. in 1859 during the Gold Rush and was appointed a Magistrate and Gold Commissioner by Governor James Douglas. His wifo, Caroline O’Reilly was the sister of Joseph Trutch, the Lieutenant Governor. Peter and Caroline had four children: Mary, Kathleen, Frank and Arthur. Arthur’s son, John, lived with his wife at Point Ellice House until 1975, at which time the fomily donated the property to the Province. The thing that impressed me the most about Point Ellice House, besides the delicious, affordable tea served in the wonderful heritage garden, was the superb quality of the laigely intact collection of personal O’Reilly possessions. The house is foscinating. As you walk through it you will see the original blue and gilt flowered wall paper in the master bedroom and marble blodc wallpaper in the hall dating to 1888. In the dining room the table is set with the original Minton china and in the kitchen there is a large Albion Iron Works range dating from 1889 and a copper water heater from 1897. In Kathleoi’s bedroom there is an impressive display of vintage clothing and accessories. Wonderful displays await visitors m every room. The innovative taped self-guided tour through the house and gardens has visitors imagining they are a prospective employee. The cook and house maid fomiliarize visitors with the house and its history and always seem to find an opportunity to gossip about the fomily. It is entertaining and, all in all, a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. If you are going to Victoria, I recommend you consider visiting Point Ellice House. NOTE: If you are thinking visiting Point Ellice House, I suggest you consider taking the little passenger ferry from the inner harbour, as it affords a unique view of the property and is preferable to driving through the industrial zone. The English tea includes admission to the house. Point Ellice House is open May 12 - September IS, daily 10am - 5pm. For more information call (604) 380-6506 [Article information drawn from informational brochure and house tour.] Mildred Valley Thornton, continued from page d landscapes had all the strength and vigour of works of the ""Groiq) of Seven” and her colour sense was excellent - sometimes vibrant, but never crude, and sometimes very subtle. There were mountains, water scenes, buildings and people and many forest scenes (she was frscinated by ancient trees) - all presented in her own inimitable fashiort Finally, Reg quoted from a Seattle art critic who had viewed an exhibition of l^r work some.years ago - *^No woman has the right to paint with such power". There is to be a show of Mildred Wley Thornton’s work at the prestigious >^^hester Gallery in Vctoria in August and in September there will be a sm^er showing at the Museum at Gertrude Lawson House - a great delight for all doncemed. Whatever you do, don’t miss it Member News Did You Miss a Meeting? Did you know we video tape our guest speakers & that, as a Society member, you are welcome to borrow the video? So, if you missed a general meeting drop by Lawson House and borrow the tape to watch at home. Waring Pentland, our History-Onics Publisher, who figures in several of the Society’s functions, and who, almost single-handedly, gave our newsletter its new face some years ago, is stepping down from his duties. Waring had the misfortune to suffer a minor stroke during recent surgery and, although he had hoped to continue in office, has found the intricate technical details to be a little too demanding. He will, however, continue to take part in the life of our Society and will act as an Associate Editor for the newsletter. Our heartfelt thanks to Waring, for all he has done for us in the past and to Lorie for all the behind-the-scenes work she put in too. Best wishes to you both firom all who are involved in the preparation and distribution of History-Onics. Thanks also to Ian Sampson who recently led a children’s photography workshop, ""Eye Spy,” for the Museum & Archives. The children smdied historic photogr^hs, developed and created their own contact prints &made historic West \hncouver greeting cards.