Dundurn Castle - Hamilton, Ontario

I hope you enjoy this little peek at one of my favourite places to visit in southern Ontario. Every time I go, I see or learn something new. This Canadian National Historic Site is not really a castle at all. Dundurn Castle was built by Sir Allan Napier MacNab, and completed in 1835 at a cost of $175,000.00. Seventy-two rooms made up its 18,000-square-footage (1,700 square metres) and 42 of them are now open to the public after being restored to what they would have been in 1855. Sir John A. MacDonald, first Prime Minister of Canada, and England's King George VII were among those entertained there.

Some interesting facts from the tour:
-- Dundurn Castle was the first home in the province to have gas lighting and running water. The water was pumped through the house by a young boy who earned $2.00 per month for his service.
-- The Scullery Maid was a young girl of 9 or 10. She washed the dishes from the entire household's seven meals each day. Her wage -- $1.30 per month.
-- Refined sugar was delivered in a solid, paper-wrapped cone. It was shaved or chipped off when needed. The cost of a cone of sugar - $75.00. The cost of a new home - $100.00.
-- Sir Allan MacNab was often accused of treating his servants too well. :)

The Victorian Kitchen Garden was a project undertaken by the City of Hamilton as part of the restoration. This formal garden is walled in Scottish fashion, and has a series of walkways and beds full of fruit, flowers, herbs and vegetables that would have been grown during Sir Allan NacNab's lifetime at Dundurn. The garden is maintained the old fashioned way by hand, and all natural.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Dundurn_Castle
• Hamilton
• Ontario
• Canada
• historic
• castle
• garden
• restoration
• flower
• tree
• house
• bird
• costume
• 4LaneStudios
• MyLaydy
• Canadas_Got_Treasures

[Nuka59]

so beautiful!!!*****Nuka

[MyLaydy]

Hi Nuka! I hope you're enjoying the last month or so of summer. This is one of my favourite places -- there are so many details to see. Thanks for watching! ~~ Lynn

[LonelyBoyProductions]

nice vid.

i found it via video response to bunnydrops vid.

bunnydrops is my mom.

i got some hamilton stuff myself you can check it out if you like.

im gona go ahead and check out your page.

Cheers!

[MyLaydy]

Pleased to meet you LBP! I was impressed by the music you created for bunnydrops. I will be by to check out your Hamilton vids. Hope you see something you like here. Have a good weekend. ~~ Lynn

[MyLaydy]

Thanks -- for remembering. lol Yes, the quilt thing is in our blood, isn't it. Melord?? xoxoxoxo

[ny2nj08]

Wow, I loved this one with it's music and amazing images of this incredibly beautiful castle! Lynn I can't get over your effects on this one, absolutely perfect! xx-oo

[MyLaydy]

I'm amazed at how the music and some transitions made my amateur photos look so good! lol ;) Thanks Anthony! xoxo

[CanadianStreetHockey]

Love the place! School trips were great I was one of the few that actually thought it was awesome lol

[Ecclefechina]

I have happy memories of Dundurn Castle. I now live in England, but as a child I lived in Hamilton, and once a year our school (Strathcona) had a picnic in its grounds. Great fun! The sun always seemed to shine.

[MrFrozenCanuck]

I always wanted to go to Dundurn Castle.

I have a fascination with older homes, especially castles.

[icapos]

You've created a beautiful video, i enjoyed it very much considering i've never been to the mansion... it surely made me want to visit!

[TreasuresTresors]

Hi MyLaydy, great video! Dundurn Castle is such an exquisite building, this video would be great for the Canada’s Got Treasures collection, which aims to feature Canadian videos of personal or cultural significance. Help celebrate Canadian diversity by joining our YouTube group (/group/TresorTreasure) and submitting your video. It would be made available on our channel and website.

Hamish,

Canada's Got Treasures, a VMC initiative