Emily Carr Chronicles Walk, Talk & Tour in the Morning

Join us for an fascinating journey through James Bay, the heart of Victoria, where Emily Carr was born, lived, and created.
This three-hour walking tour will take you to 12 historic sites that shaped Emily's life, from her childhood home to the inspiring landscapes she cherished. As we stroll through Victoria’s oldest neighborhood, we’ll uncover stories of her travels to remote locales like Ucluelet and Haida Gwaii, where she sketched Indigenous cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and iconic totem poles.
We kick off the adventure at 9:30 AM on the patio of For Good Measure, where you'll meet fellow enthusiasts and dive into Emily's world. Our first stop is Carr House, a National Heritage site, where we’ll learn about her early influences and explore the beautiful gardens and a full-sized replica of her beloved painting caravan, the Elephant.
Next, we'll visit the homes of Emily’s three sisters, learning about the significant bonds between them that shaped her life and artistry. Then, we’ll head to the unique apartment house Emily designed and managed for over two decades, where she penned “The House of All Sorts,” sharing tales of colorful tenants that enriched her stories.
As we continue, we’ll stroll through Beacon Hill Park, a favorite sketching spot for Emily, and pay tribute to her legacy at the stone footbridge built in her memory. After a brief rest at the Royal BC Museum, we’ll visit Helmcken House, the oldest standing building in BC, where Emily’s family physician once resided.
Next we'll check out Crystal Gardens, the site of her 1930 “Fresh Seeing” speech and her first solo exhibition in her hometown. Along the way, we’ll share delightful anecdotes, including the story of her mischievous pet monkey, Woo!
Finally, we’ll walk to her father’s store on Wharf Street—an important place in her life and writing—before concluding our tour at the site of her passing, rumored to still carry her spirit. We’ll wrap up at For Good Measure around 4:30 PM, leaving with a deeper appreciation for the extraordinary life and art of Emily Carr. Join us for this unforgettable experience!

Upon registration, you will receive:

• a timeline of significant events in Emily Carr's life
• an Emily Carr backgrounder with some of her autobiographical stories and key moments
• access to the text of six books of autobiographical short stories she wrote during her lifetime (including Klee Wyck, The Book of Small, The House of All Sorts, Pause: A Sketchbook, The Heart of the Peacock and Growing Pains: An Autobiography)

Pictured below is where we will meet up at For Good Measure at 579 Niagara Street and introduce ourselves before we walk a block to the Carr House to arrive for a guided tour by their expert staff at noon, and where we will return to about 4:30pm with even more appreciation for this truly remarkable person and artist.

Feedback on the Emily Carr Chronicles Walk, Talk & Tour on May 23. 2024

"Marilyn at Emily Carr Chronicles was excellent to deal with in booking a private tour and also as our informative & fun tour guide. I organize Heritage tours for the Newcomer's Club of Greater Victoria and I was able to fill up two walking tours of 15 each. There was huge interest and positive feedback from the club members. I don't hesitate to recommend Marilyn. She brought Emily Carr back to life and was a joy to work with."
~ Kim McVeigh
Newcomer's Club of Greater Victoria

"It was fascinating, especially because of the materials sent ahead of time providing a good base for understanding her as a determined, indépendant minded painter and writer. It definitely deepened my knowledge and understanding of her."
"It was really great! Thanks for all the effort (and Emily-love!) you put into it Marilyn"
"Thank you, Marilyn for providing such a thorough overview."
"Perhaps add a bit more show & tell on her artistic journey to her later paintings. I thought the focus was on her writing more than her painting. Although I now want to read House of All Sorts!"
"Marilyn, I loved your enthusiasm and knowledge, and bringing in other "experts" to share their knowledge.
"Marilyn was a great guide and really knows and respects Emily Carr. "
"The size of the group was good. Cost was reasonable. Thank you."

"Excellent knowledge and information. Thank you Marilyn. The tour [on August 15] was so great. I really appreciated you sending some of her short stories that related to many of the locations we visited in advance of the tour. They made her life come alive for me."

For more information on the tour, the tour guide and Emily Carr, please see:
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

For Good Measure Grocery & Coffee Shop, 579 Niagara Street, Victoria, Canada