Victorian Christmas Tours at Government House bring history to life

Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Bernadette McIntyre greets guests to the Victorian Christmas tours at Government House on Saturday. (Brittany Poitras / CTV News)

The Government House in Regina is hosting its annual Victorian Christmas tours, offering a flash back in time to a Christmas from the late 19th century.

The tours began in early December and run throughout the season, giving guests a guided walkthrough of the grand rooms, festive decorations, Victorian period furnishings, and history teachings from staff members dressed in Victorian costumes.

The home was once the residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, and is now a museum that hosts daily tours, showcasing the rich history and traditions of the Victorian era.

For the current Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Bernadette McIntyre, the experience is both personal and meaningful.

“We have family here, so we thought that we would go on a tour so they could see the Government House all decorated for Christmas, and hear the wonderful stories,” McIntyre explained.

During the tour, the Lieutenant Governor reflected on her own experience of serving in her role.

“I’m about 11 months into the term, so it still seems a bit surreal, and when I hear during the tour that they ask about the Lieutenant Governor, I say, ‘Oh, that’s me!’” McIntyre added.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

Guiding guests through this historic experience is Hope Van Vliet, one of the tour guides who tells the stories of how Christmas traditions have evolved over the last 100 years.

“It’s really fun to walk through the dining room and talk through your service order, how you would go about using everything that’s set in front of you for an eight or nine course meal. It’s amazing to see how those little social hierarchies actually played out in a house like this,” she explained.

The tour provides a glimpse into the life of the former Lieutenant Governor’s family, showing how they entertained guests like the Prince of Wales and celebrated Christmas in style.

For many visitors, the tour provides a deeper understanding of Saskatchewan’s past and the people who shaped its history.

Regina local, Mary Mackanack, is a frequent visitor to Government House, attending the Victorian teas and Christmas tours for the last few years.

“I love it. My favourite part is just the Christmas stuff. I’m going to have to come back during the year to see what it’s like without the Christmas stuff,” she said.

Tour guide Van Vliet said she encourages visitors to join in upcoming events, including the January 1st Levy event where visitors can enjoy crafts for children and a reception with Her Honour.

“I think whether you’re from out of town or you’re from Regina, it gives such an interesting insight into what life was like in this province before we were in it,” she said. “To see it in practice and in context is a great way to understand our history as a people and as a family.”

The Victorian Christmas tours continue daily, except Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with new tours beginning at the start of every hour.