Exhibitions & Events
Gothic Victoria Exhibition Talk
– Febuary 2024
Join Wentworth Villa curator Ben Clinton-Baker for an illustrated talk about our latest feature exhibit, “Gothic Victoria: The Origins of Carpenter Gothic”. Ben will share a number of images not included in the exhibit itself and share some stories about Carpenter Gothic architecture in Victoria and beyond.
Victoria Through Artists’ Eyes
– March 2024
Join with us for a lavishly-illustrated presentation of Victoria Through Artists’ Eyes by Robert Amos.
Centennial Square Panel Discussion
– May 2024
A limited showing of an exhibit about the design history (and future) of Victoria’s historic and beloved Centennial Square. The exhibit will conclude with a panel discussion involving experts (architect Chris Gower, Heritage advocate Pamela Madoff, architect Jim Kerr, and local historian John Adams) in the fields of heritage, architecture and urban design.
Hallmark Annual Awards Night
– MAY 2023
For 50 years, the Hallmark Heritage Society has supported and celebrated the careful conservation of the Capital Region’s historic buildings and the people who care about them. On Wednesday, May 3, join us at historic Wentworth Villa to welcome Hallmark Heritage Society award winners for 2021 and 2022.
John Di Castri – Panel Discussion
– June 2023
As part of our exhibit about the life and work of Victoria’s premier mid-century architect, John Di Castri, we invite you to register now for our pre-opening panel discussion. The panel discussion will feature our guest curatorial team for the exhibit: mid-century design expert Allan Collier, architectural historian Martin Segger, and architect Chris Gower.
John Di Castri – Closing Event
– September 2023
Join us for a closing evening reception and symposium observing the closing of the Exhibit on John Di Castri, Architect. The event will feature in-person panel discussions on the use of Architectural Exhibits for Architectural Evaluations, Criticism, and Architectural Conservation. Presented by RAIC Vancouver Island South Network.
Movie Night at the Villa
– October 2023
Our inaugural Movie Night at Wentworth Villa! Enjoy a classic film from the bizarre and atmospheric world of Gothic cinema in the wonderful setting of our historic Carpenter Gothic museum. Many Gothic stories and films centre upon a dilapidated old haunted mansion or building and perhaps none more effectively than Roger Corman’s 1960 gothic horror masterpiece, “House of Usher”.
Book Launch
– December 2023
New Book Offers a Window into Lives of Immigrant Women On December 10th, local author Michiko Sakamoto-Senge will launch her compelling new publication, Beauty of a New Land, at Wentworth Villa. Through text and photos, Beauty of a New Land tells the stories of five elder women (including the author) who immigrated to Canada, decades ago from around the world.
Public Art in Public Places – Opportunities and Issues
– December 2023
To travel to most places on the planet is to encounter distinctive and vibrant urban environments, where the public art is memorable and contributes richly to the fabric of those communities. We in Canada, and perhaps particularly in the west, have inherited precious few examples of great, let alone appreciably notable public art. This event brings together well-regarded local artists, critics, and civic leaders with a breadth of experience – to discuss this timely topic.
Adele Weder: Ron Thom Architect
– october 2022
Adele Weder will be giving a presentation on her biography on Ron Thom with a Q&A portion at the end. Ron Thom came of age in the mid-20th century, just as the modern movement and an impending building boom were about to reshape the country. Talented in music and art as well as design, he rejected sleek austerity in favor of modern architecture that is warm, intimate, and beautiful. He worked from coast to coast, and his most renowned buildings—Massey College, Trent University, the Shaw Festival Theatre, and landmark houses—continue to inspire generations of architects, as well as the legions of people who work, study, visit, and live in them.
Be a Tourist
– February 2019
Experience the attractions that make Victoria, BC a world-renowned travel destination. Support local businesses and receive incredible deals and discounts available only once a year! $16 for Wristband Pass! $1 from each Wristband Pass sold is donated to Victoria Hospitals Foundation.
Heritage Week: The Tie that Binds
February 2019
Heritage Week is an opportunity to explore Victoria’s heritage, as well as that of BC and Canada. Heritage in all its forms has the power to bring people together and create a sense of belonging. Gathering places, as well as cultural objects, are tangible touchstones from the past that connect us to history and foster engaged communities. Intangible heritage – languages, food, traditional rituals, music, dance, storytelling and more – is at the heart of family and community.
Historic Places Day
– July 2019
Historic places tell us the stories that brought Canada to life, teach us about our heritage in a way history class can’t, and can give us a sense of collective identity. On July 7, thousands of Canadians will join the national celebration during the second annual Canada Historic Places Day by visiting historic places around the country and discovering cultural, Indigenous, and social history. Will you?
Removing Memory one Statue at a Time: Comparing Eastern Europe & Canada
November 2018
A special lecture to contribute to the debate triggered by the recent removal of the statue of John A. Macdonald by Victoria City Council. The contentious removal has been followed by reassessments of other “controversial characters” from local history whose statues may or may not deserve relocation. Interest in these local debates in Victoria has gone beyond provincial boundaries. We are delighted to feature internationally acclaimed historian Professor Jan Grabowski from the University of Ottawa.
In his lecture, Professor Grabowski will analyze the controversy of John A. MacDonald and others as part of a broader process of rewriting national history. Canada is not alone in the struggle to reinvent itself in this way. The lecture will compare the nature and workings of this process in Canada to Eastern Europe, where such struggles developed into true “history wars.”
Money in BC before the Railway
– February 2017
In his lecture, Ronald Greene will discuss how in 1858, Victoria went from several hundred settlers to a town of several thousand almost overnight. This disruption from a quiet settlement to a bustling centre highlighted the absence of a single currency in the growing community. Due to limited access to American and Canadian cash from the East Coast, a wide-range of money from around the world was in use. This resulted in unusual trading practices and a lack of liquidity. Greene will look at how Victoria dealt with this problem, as well as with the changes that ensued over the next few years before the arrival of the railway.
Antique Builders Hardware – Jewellery for Old Houses
– March 2017
Mark Aitken continues our series with the second lecture. Learn the evolution in engineering, function and design of Builders’ Hardware before, during and after the construction of Wentworth Villa. Examine for yourself the variety of styles and finishes available to Victorian homebuilders and their clients through a private collection of hardware and period catalogues. See Wentworth’s original hardware still in operation after 150 years.
Martha B. Ella and Wentworth Villa: the Life of a Victoria Pioneer
– April 2017
Martha Ella lived in Wentworth Villa from 1863-1911. Built in 1863 for Captain Henry Bailey Ella, his wife Martha Beeton Ella (née Cheney), and Ann Blinkhorn (Martha’s aunt), the Villa is a Victoria designated Heritage House and one of the oldest wooden residential buildings in British Columbia. These pioneers were amongst the earliest arrivals at Fort Victoria; Ella in 1847 as 2nd Mate on the Hudson’s Bay Company vessel Mary Dare, Martha Cheney and the Blinkhorns in 1851 aboard the Tory.
Mark and Michael Hawkes, great, great grandsons of the Ellas, will present a personal account of this pioneer Victoria family with selected historical information, old and recent images, and family stories.
The Historic Wallpapers of Wentworth Villa
– April 2017
Almost all old homes have traces of their past hidden within. Some very old ones, like Wentworth Villa, are so full of history that their walls do talk. Before the restoration of Wentworth Villa took place, paintings conservator and historic wallpaper consultant Simone Vogel-Horridge received the opportunity to reveal what the walls of Wentworth Villa had to say. Over the course of several months, and layer by layer, she uncovered 100 years of local wallpaper history dating back to the 1860s.
In her richly illustrated talk, Simone Vogel-Horridge will share her knowledge of the Wentworth wallpapers, including the handsome wallpapers of the Ella family and the stylishly embossed wallpapers of Faith Grant. She will also discuss how the styles and use of wallpapers changed between the 1860s to the 1960s. Guests will have the chance to follow along as Simone conducts a live wallpaper investigation and peels back the layers on wallpapers that have not been seen for well over 100 years.
Martha B. Ella and Wentworth Villa: the Life of a Victoria Pioneer
– October 2017
Martha Ella lived in Wentworth Villa from 1863-1911. Built in 1863 for Captain Henry Bailey Ella, his wife Martha Beeton Ella (née Cheney), and Ann Blinkhorn (Martha’s aunt), the Villa is a Victoria designated Heritage House and one of the oldest wooden residential buildings in British Columbia. These pioneers were amongst the earliest arrivals at Fort Victoria; Ella in 1847 as 2nd Mate on the Hudson’s Bay Company vessel Mary Dare, Martha Cheney and the Blinkhorns in 1851 aboard the Tory.
Mark and Michael Hawkes, great, great grandsons of the Ellas, will present a personal account of this pioneer Victoria family with selected historical information, old and recent images, and family stories.
The survival of Carpenter Gothic in the architecture of Victoria
– October 2017
Gothic Revival architecture – inspired by the great cathedrals of Europe spawned curious variants such as Collegiate Gothic, Prairie Gothic, Castle Gothic, Steamboat Gothic, and Carpenter Gothic. It was this last variant that had the most impact locally. Gothic Revival faced its doom from changing tastes and technological advances, but was it possible for it to survive the test of time in the form of Carpenter Gothic?Despite new trends such as Arts & Crafts and Art Deco capturing the fancy of Victorians, Dr. Nick Russell sees a design continuum and asks the question: Has Victoria inherited a legacy of Carpenter Gothic design elements that still influence architects today?
Dr. Russell is a Victoria heritage researcher, lecturer, and writer. He has recently authored Glorious Victorian Homes: 150 Years of Architectural History in BC’s Capital and Then & Now: Postcards from the Past.
Victoria Foundation Day
– September 2016
Victoria Foundation is celebrating their 80th birthday and this is their gift to the community. They are inviting Victorians to admire world-class art, stroll through magnificent gardens, climb new heights and explore Vancouver Island nature, all free of charge in honour of the Victoria Foundation’s 80th anniversary….
Wentworth Villa Tours
– June 2016
Small guided tours of Wentworth Villa focusing on restoration of heritage homes. Learn about the process and procedures that the restoration of the villa went through. Learn about experts and resources that are available here in Victoria to help you properly restore your home.