Cary Castle Mews
The Cary Castle Mews is a cluster of 19th century wooden service buildings located on the southeast side of the Government House estate. The Mews consists of stables, a carriage house, a gaol, a root cellar, a wash house and a poultry house (part of which was later used as a gardener’s cottage).
These onsite buildings have been used as support buildings to Government House since their construction in the 1870s. Thanks to the efforts of the Government House Foundation, some of the buildings have been rehabilitated and are now outfitted for the public to enjoy.
Costume Museum
The Costume Museum is located in the Carriage House and showcases a large variety of period pieces, as well as rotating special exhibits. From former Lieutenant Governors’ uniforms and Chatelaines’ dresses to an original butler’s uniform, the Museum takes visitors on a sartorial journey through the history of the Estate and Office of the Lieutenant Governor. These historical artifacts are from both the Government House collection and thanks to the generosity of several donors. Visitors to the Costume Museum will also see the historic Landau Carriage on display. In 1901, the Landau was used by the Duke and Duchess of York and Cornwall (later King George V and Queen Mary) on their tour of Victoria and Esquimalt.
2024 Exhibits:
“Not Just the Wife Of: The Chatelaines“: The often-fascinating stories of the women who ruled the roost as chatelaines of Government House.
“Royal Canadian Airforce 100th Anniversary”: Sharing lesser-known tales in a display by the Sidney Aviation Museum.
“Muggins – Lost and Found“: The story of a real-life plucky canine mascot who became a major fundraiser during WWI and WWII.
Opening Day: Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Hours: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Closed: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and statutory holidays
Final Day: Friday, August 30, 2024