Garlands made by the Hamilton Garden Club were hung from the ceilings, draped down the grand staircase and spread throughout the courtyard of Dundurn Castle, indicating the arrival of the Victorian Christmas season.
Nestled on the cusp of Hamilton, is the city’s own castle, rich in history.
Once home to Sir Allan Napier MacNab—a railway magnate, lawyer and premier of the United Canadas (1854–1856)—and his family, Dundurn Castle today tells the story of the family who lived ‘above stairs’ and the servants who lived and worked ‘below stairs.’ Her Majesty The Queen Consort is the museum’s patron and the great-great-great-granddaughter of Sir Allan MacNab.
The 40-room Italianate-style villa was built in the 1830s on Burlington Heights, the site of a former fortified military encampment established by the British during the War of 1812. The 18,000-square-foot house took three years and $175,000 to build. It was completed in 1835 and designed by young English architect Robert Wetherall.
Victorian Christmas at the Castle offers a guided glimpse into 19th-century holiday life, showcasing its vintage beauty while adorned for the season. Visitors gather around the historic kitchen, where lavish Victorian place settings shimmer in the glow of candlelight, learning how families of the era celebrated the season.
Mike Flaherty, a tour guide for Victorian Christmas, leads visitors around the house, explaining the castle’s history while diving into holiday rituals that started way back and are still celebrated today.
“We like to show people where the traditions they might practise in their homes originated,” Flaherty said. “People like to feel a connection to their past, and we exist to give the community that connection.”
Dundurn Castle is open year-round and is known for its variety of events and workshops. Visitors can tour the Kitchen Garden, explore the Military Museum, browse the gift shop for a historic souvenir and enjoy unique experiences like the Holiday Cooking Workshop: Victorian Delights.
English