Walking from the hospital to my Dad’s apartment on Bridge Street, on my last trip to Belleville, I stepped into the past for a couple of hours. I was emotionally exhausted upon my arrival, but on each visit I’ve made home, I’ve wondered about this beautiful building. The banner on the front yard read OPEN. I entered into the front foyer, where I was met with a warm greeting and smile, received a brief history and headed into this beautiful and somehow-enchanted space, quite a departure from the cold and discomforting experience of the hospital room.
Photo Credit: Kathleen Moors ©
The building is in the process of restoration and so I was granted admittance to most of the three floors apart from the back of the house. I was alone to wander and so I felt as though history was holding my hand. I am one who loves that sense of nostalgia, so to be transported to this magical time was wonderful.
I have visited Virtual Museum Canada and located a concise history of the building and collections to post here. I purchased, upon my departure, the book about the personalities who lived here and more detail about the architectural elements of the building itself, but I thought for the purpose of a blog post, a concise bit of writing would suffice.
“Glanmore National Historic Site of Canada
Glanmore National Historic Site, was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1969 in recognition of its exceptional 2nd Empire architecture. Glanmore was built in 1882-1883 for wealthy banker J.P.C. Phillips (1842-1912) and his wife Harriet Dougall Phillips (1839-1915). The grand interior features beautiful hand-painted ceilings and ornate woodwork. Many of Glanmore’s rooms have been restored to the 1890s and feature period room displays containing some original furnishings as well as beautiful objects from the Couldery Collection.
The museum cares for an extensive collection of antique furniture, paintings and ceramics. Local history is highlighted in Glanmore’s lower level, and includes the Pre-Confederation Homestead exhibit and Maid of All Work: Domestic Service at Glanmore. The Museum is open to the public six days a week and offers a wide variety of programs and activities for schools and the general public. Guided and self-guided tours are available year-round.
About the Collections
The Couldery Collection of European and Oriental furniture, decorative art and paintings; Phillips-Burrows-Faulkner Collection of artifacts original to the site; Paul Lighting Collection; History of Hastings County Collection; Manly MacDonald Collection.
Approximate number of objects in the collections: 35,000″
Glanmore National Historic Site of Canada Video Tour Highlights from Gerry Fraiberg on Vimeo.
