Emily Carr is someone I’ve admired for years. I read her omnibus when I was in college and I was enthralled by her story telling. I could envision so many of the places she wrote about because I grew up in Victoria, as did she. She is most well-known for her art but it’s the way she lived her life that makes her so special, to me. Her bold, brazen courage has certainly allowed me to be brave during times when I had to tackle a new challenge. It was a joy to visit the home that had once belonged to her and her family.
Things of note:
- There is very limited parking with only half a dozen spots available on-site. Street parking in the neighbourhood is for residents only and you risk a ticket if you park there. We made sure to be there just before 11am, when the house opens, so we were able to get one of the few parking spots available.
- The entrance is around the back of the house, down a packed gravel pathway. In order to get into the house there is one step.
- Once you are inside, everything is on one floor as the second floor is sectioned off and not for visitors.
- You will be given a laminated document that gives information about each room on the lower floor.
- There is a large, single bathroom.
- Coffee, tea, and biscuits (cookies) are available in the sun room, at no extra cost.
- There are many chairs throughout the house if you need to sit down. Some have arms and some do not. They come in all shapes and sizes and I’m sure you can find one that is comfortable to you.
- If you wish, you can sit in the room just off the breakfast room and watch a 30 minute video about Emily Carr, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Frida Kahlo. I enjoyed the video; it’s a bit different but I was happy to spend time in the space and enjoyed the almost dream-like quality of the video.
- Visitors are welcome to spend time in the house by relaxing and enjoying reading some of the books and other reading material throughout the house.
- Visitors are welcome to take photographs!
- The fellow who is the caretaker was very friendly and helpful and he even suggested that if we knew how to play the piano (we don’t) that we should have a go at the lovely old piano.
The pathway to the entrance and some lovely flowers:
Markers like this one can be found all around the gardens outside the house:
A little sitting room just off the breakfast room. The rug is gorgeous and vibrant!
The dining room:
A most lovely typewriter (and a close up of the paper in it)!
Emily cared deeply about the rights of Indigenous People in Canada, as do I. I have had the privilege of working in many remote First Nations communities, and have even visited some of the communities that Emily visited and painted! I came to understand the respect she had for First Nations Peoples—their resiliency, their culture, their art, their spirit. You can find evidence of her time spent in various First Nations communities in her art, some of which can be seen around the house.
There is much more to see, and read, and I suspect that in multiple visits you could find new things to explore each time. It’s true that I’m baised by the fact that Emily is one of my personal heroes, but if you live in Victoria or you find yourself visiting the city, the Emily Carr House is a perfectly darling way to spend some time. Step back in history, learn about what made Emily so important and special, and enjoy a cup of tea in the space that Emily once called her own.
Do you have a favourite Emily Carr painting? If you’ve read her books, do you have a favourite and, if so, which one? If you’re an Emily fan, leave a message in the comments and let me know what makes her near and dear to your heart!