This is such a beautiful place! I visited it many times, and my friend's daughter was married outside, with a reception inside. The building is beautiful, and the story about the people who lived there is so sad. I also went to a historic home in Victoria, B.C. and I believe the families of both homes are connected somehow. Great piece of local history!

Dunsmuir House is an interesting estate home with many buildings, estate home, and barn areas to explore on a pretty property. Its a nice way to spend a few hours any time of year. In particular in December, this house becomes a must see for anyone who enjoys seeing well decorated holiday homes. The home is beautifully decorated - each room with a unique holiday theme - and the large tree (2 stories tall) is a must see. There are other holiday doings on the property such as carolers walking around singing. In addition - if you are lucky enough to make a reservation soon enough - sometimes they sell out quickly -they also have a very nice Christmas tea.

I grew up just a few miles from the Dunsmuir House and Gardens. Naturally I had the pleasure of participating in many events throughout the course of my life. I have performed with choirs at the house for their annual Christmas season, and I even attended my own brother's wedding in their garden.

Recently I took a friend and managed to get a reservation for Christmas tea. I was a little disappointed at the small amount of food we had for the amount of money, but the setting was quaint. Tea is not served at the Dunsmuir House proper, but at another small house on the property. It's worth going if you really love tea, but don't go on an empty stomach.

The actual Dunsmuir House is quite lovely and done up beautifully at Christmas time. You will find a Christmas tree in every room of the mansion decorated with a different theme and very lively colors to match the decor of the room itself. The furniture is mostly original. Even the wall paper in the bedrooms, although remodeled, matches the style of the time the house was built.

The gardens are beautiful with a Bamboo Grove, a Holly tree, Oak trees, etc. There is a pond on the property and there used to be a pair of white swans,...but I did not see them recently. All in all it's worth the price to see the Neoclassical house and gardens.