The South Riding RV Travels

119

September 10th - Toronto ON - Casa Loma Museums

Casa Loma is the former estate of Sir Henry Mill Pellatt and is a 'medieval' style castle designed in 1911 by E J Lennox. It is situated on a hill overlooking Toronto. It cost $3.5 million to build. The Pellatts only enjoyed the house for 10 years before his financial empire collapsed.

The great hall has a 60ft high ceiling and is a focal point for the castle.

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The conservatory has a stained glass dome and an Italian marble floor. The side walls are Ontario marble and the fern beds were kept warm by steam pipes.
This is Sir Henry's study from which secret passageways lead upstairs.
There are several ornate bedrooms each with its own distinct style.
This was Lady Pellatt's bedroom. The detail on the furniture matches that on the cornices and ceiling.
Lady Pellatt was the head of the Canadian Girl Guides. This was an ornate blouse of hers. There is an extensive Guides exhibition in tribute to her support. She was eventually confined to a wheelchair.
There was a separate exhibition of quilts on display. They were ultimately to be auctioned in support of breast cancer charities. Some were quite exquisite and all represented many hours of work.
The house was full of technical innovations. Sir Henry's bathroom was unique for its time.
This must have been the first power shower. The walls are clad in Pavenso marble. The shower is controlled by the six porcelain taps on the right.
It was always intended that royalty would be entertained here. This ornate Venetian style bed is in the 'Windsor' room which was the guest bedroom..
There were several instruments in the house including a full organ in the entrance hall and this piano.
There are two towers with panoramic views of the city. Here we are looking south towards the CN Tower in the distance.
This was one of the towers as viewed from the other tower and shows the ornate style.
Looking further down you can see part of the 5.5 acres of landscaped gardens.

Unfortunately we had to leave in order to transport our friends back to the airport to catch their flight. This place is well worth a longer visit for the next time we come.