Canada Guide
Vancouver Island
Helmcken House
Opening time: May– Oct daily 10am–5pm; rest of year Mon & Thurs– Sun 11am–4pm
Price: $5
Address: Off Belleville Street, directly adjacent to the Royal British Columbia Museum
The oldest house in BC still on its original site, built in 1852, Helmcken House is a predictable heritage offering that showcases the home, furnishings and embroidery talents of the Helmcken family. Dr John Helmcken was Fort Victoria's doctor and local political bigwig, and his house is a typical monument to stolid Victoria values. Upstairs it contains various attic treasures and some fearsome-looking medical tools. It's probably only of interest, however, if you've so far managed to avoid any of Canada's many thousands of similar houses. If you do visit, pick up the free guided tapes and hear "voices from history" (those of actors and actresses) that give a more personalized slant on the building.