The BC government has announced that the historic Point Ellice House in Victoria’s Burnside-Gorge neighbourhood will cease operations as a public heritage destination.
The renowned property will remain open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays until August 21st. Afterwards, the Province will assume operations of Point Ellice House on September 2nd.
Point Ellice House is beloved in Victoria, as it is one of the city’s oldest residences.
It was built between 1861 and 1862 for Charles Wentworth and his wife, Catherine, who was the daughter of John Work, a chief factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
The house was expanded by the O’Reilly family, who lived there until 1975, when they left it behind with over 16,000 artifacts from the days of early Victoria.
The site was given a national historic site of Canada designation in 1966, it became a provincial heritage site in 1975 and the house is also listed in the City of Victoria’s heritage registry.
For a long time, the house was overseen and operated by Vancouver Island Local History Society, who announced they had to forfeit operations of the Point Ellice House in March 2023.
The Forager Foundation then took over the property’s management on an interim basis as a non-profit organization that focuses on the preservation and promotion of natural and cultural heritage.
In December 2023, Métis Nation BC (MNBC) announced that they would be taking over as the operators of Point Ellice House.
Now that the MNBC will be ceasing operations as of the heritage destination, the Province says it is reviewing options for reopening.
No public statement has been issued by MNBC on ceasing operations at the historic house.
An announcement will be made when the Province reaches a decision on the future of Point Ellice House.
💬 Join the conversation
No comments yet — be the first to start the conversation
