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The Friends of Government House Gardens Society

The Gardens of the British Columbia Government House

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Cary Mews

The Costume Museum and Rudi’s Tea Room are now closed. 

Thank you valued guests for your many visits and kind comments throughout our summer season!

The Costume Museum features a series of changing themes that showcase its more than 200 costumes from the 1860s to the 1970s, vintage accessories, period artifacts, Government House memorabilia, and generous donations of family heirlooms from the public.
Visitors will also see the historic landau carriage used by the Duke and Duchess of York and Cornwall (later King George V and Queen Mary) on their tour of Victoria in 1901.


Nelles Shackleton, a long-time Friends member, stands beside her wedding dress featured in a Costume Museum display.  Purchased for US $150 in 1974 in Hong Kong, Nelles wore it to dinner for her second wedding to Gary Shackleton in 1984.  (It is a modern version, but features embroidery which would have traditionally been done in gold and silver thread.)

 

 

 

Museum volunteer Gillian Vandersan stands beside a creative floral display. 

 

Costume Museum volunteers help bring Government House history to life. (cheknews.ca)


Rudi’s Tea Room offers a selection of treats provided by Government House and, in the summer, seasonal greens from the vegetable garden.

Elaine Wilson

Elaine Wilson brings out some of the healthy fare available in the Tea Room. Helen Lantz (centre) ensures the meal ends with a sweet treat from the talented Government House chefs .

Helen Lantz

 

 

Brenda Jarvis whisks away the remnants of another delicious meal.  

 

 


Hello, We Can Hardly Wait to Greet You!

 

Greeters (from left) Jackie Bennett, Linda Flynn, Deana Brynildsen, and Patti Shaughnessy.are part of the Cary Mews group that welcomes visitors. They are ready to answer questions, give directions, or suggest a tour of the gardens with a well-deserved stop for refreshments at Rudi’s Tea Room.  

 

 

Diana Lokken and Kathy MacDonald (on right) waiting to welcome you to the Mews.

 


Artist Gifts Paintings to the Friends

Liz Thompson and her donated paintings of roses from Government House Gardens. Cards from these paintings may be purchased from the greeters.  The roses (from left): just joey hybrid tea; royal sunset climber; Jane Rogers rose (hybrid tea). 

The most important of the roses is the Jane Rogers rose*  (hybrid tea). It is named for Elizabeth Jane Rogers, wife of B.C.  Lieutenant Governor Robert Gordon Rogers  (1983-1988).  The floral designers group is a direct result of her request in 1984 for flowers to decorate Government House. The special rose grows in both the sunken rose garden and the flower designers’ garden.  The cuttings were started by Carol Dancer.

From left: Liz Thompson (floral designers garden), Patti Shaughnessy, and Sheila Connelly.

 

 

 

Primary Sidebar

Compost Program Discontinued

Garden materials and yard waste produced off-site will no longer be accepted. You will start seeing signage about this over the coming weeks. All garden material produced on-site will be placed in a bin (located in the lower parking lot) and taken off-site for appropriate disposal. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your gardening director or Board president.

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Join our more than 150 enthusiastic volunteers on Tuesday or Thursday as they enjoy the benefits of nurturing our beautiful gardens and making new friends.  No experience required.
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