VancouverMETRO VANCOUVER NEWS
Point Ellice House to close to visitors Aug. 21
Victoria’s Point Ellice House will stop operating as a public heritage destination Aug. 21 before the Province takes over responsibility Sept. 2.
Point Ellice House in Victoria’s Burnside-Gorge neighbourhood will close to the public as a heritage destination after Aug. 21. Self-guided and guided tours remain available until that date.
The Province said it will assume operational responsibility for the site on Sept. 2 and is reviewing reopening options. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport said the transition is intended to protect and preserve the house and its artifacts.
Built between 1861 and 1862 for Charles Wentworth and his wife, Catherrine, the home was later expanded by the O’Reilly family, who lived there until 1975. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1966 and a provincial heritage site nine years later.
Métis Nation British Columbia currently manages the museum. Its programming explores the histories of Indigenous communities, Métis people and non-Indigenous settlers in the region; the garden and gift shop are free to access during the seasonal operating period.