Ultimate Glanmore National Historic Site Guide
In a historic neighbourhood in Belleville, Ontario stands the most beautiful home in the city. Now known as the Glanmore National Historic Site, this striking building shares the history of the family that called it home and so much more.
Glanmore is a both a history museum and art gallery. This grand mansion is decorated with period pieces that will have you stepping back in time. In addition, it boasts a number of great events to attend throughout the year that transform the home. Plus, it’s a great place to visit with kids, as they offer engaging scavenger hunts that will make them excited to explore and learn more.
So, if you’re planning a trip to southeastern Ontario and looking for unique places to visit, I highly recommend adding Glanmore House (as it’s often referred to) to your itinerary. This guide shares everything you need to know before you visit Glanmore. You’ll learn about the history of the building, what to expect and tips for when visit, and more.
Guide to Visiting Glanmore National Historic Site
The Families & History of the Glanmore House
Glanmore National Historic Site is one of the best places to visit in Belleville. This historic site shares the stories of the families that called it home in a stunning space.
The first family to live in Glanmore House was the Phillips family. Built in 1883, the home was built for J.P.C. Phillips and his wife Harriet. Mr. Phillips was a wealthy local banker and his wife was a gifted artist. The plot of land that Glamore House was built was inherited by Harriet from her prominent United Empire Loyalist family.
Sadly, the Phillips family did have a one child, a boy named Percy but he passed at 3 years old. Even though they didn’t have a direct heir to their grand estate, the Phillips informally adopted a local young teen named Jessie Patterson. Jessie took their surname and went on to attend school and enjoy an exciting life when she returned to Glanmore.
Jessie went on to inherit Glanmore House and married a local businessman named Sandford Rattray Burrows. They went on to have two daughters, Philippa and Sheila. Both of their daughters inherited a passion for the arts from Harriet Phillips. Philippa went on to become an established artist, with one of her paintings being presented to Queen Elizabeth II.
In turn, Philippa inherited the home and lived there with her husband, Dr. George Vermilyea Faulkner, and their children. Philippa and her kids were the last of the families to reside in Glanmore before it was sold in 1971.
Becoming a National Historic Site & Museum
The Glanmore House was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1969. It was designated because of its extraordinary Second Empire architecture. Philippa was the driving force behind getting Glanmore designated. Many say that without her it’s possible that it would not have become the Belleville landmark it is today.
In 1971, the building opened as a museum and is now owned and run by the City of Belleville.
What to Expect when Visiting Glanmore National Historic Site
A visit to Glanmore House is great for families looking for budget friendly things to do as well as others who are keen to explore beautiful places and learn about the building and area’s history.
Walking through its hallways and rooms, I was in awe at how well the building and its furnishings looked considering their age. During my guided tour, I learned all about the detailed restoration work at Glanmore. When deciding to turn it into a museum that showcased period pieces and what it looked like during the 1880s extensive work had to occur. They washed and stripped back paint and wallpaper to get down to the original.
Insider Tip: In the breakfast room, behind the staircase on the first floor, there’s a small frame. Behind the frame you can see the various wall coverings that the restorationists had to uncover to find the original.
The Collections
The items that are displayed and housed in Glanmore are made up of three distinct collections. The main one is the Phillips-Burrows-Faulkner Collection, which encompassing the family’s original furniture and other items like books and art. It’s no surprise that many of the original pieces of furniture are still inside due to their massive size.
Some of the art was painted by the Harriet Phillips herself, like the two paintings that flank the staircase when you first walk in. I was struck by these two pieces and quickly fell in love with them when I found out Harriet painted them and that they are Cinderella and her prince charming.
Most of the art work and some of the smaller antiques come from the Couldery Collection. Bertram and Cecilia Couldery were avid art collectors from Britian during the late 1800s. Much of their art collection seen at Glanmore is made up mostly of dogs and cats. Many of which exude personality as only pet owners can attest to, like the grumpy cat in the small room between the drawing room and the games room.
Other small artifacts that fill out the rooms come from the Regional Collection. This collection is made up of pieces from the Belleville Area that date from about 1780 to present day. These pieces include textiles, toys, and tools.
The Rooms & Details
One of my favourite parts about visiting Glanmore is the exquisite details throughout. In every room you’ll want to look all around, both up and down. Some of the rooms, like drawing room, have incredibly detailed hand-painted ceilings. There’s also extensive ornate woodwork, like the grand central staircase.
Other interesting pieces to keep an eye out for include toys, like an antique stereoscope (the original View Master), dishes, and instruments. As for rooms, some of the stand out ones for me are the drawing rooms, the master bedroom and the library. However, don’t forget to peek into the bathroom that’s off the master bedroom. It was quite advanced for its day.
Tips for Visiting Glanmore House
Take your time
With so much detail, both with the art and the décor, I highly recommend taking your time when exploring Glanmore. While the average time spent on site is around and hour, I spent at least 2 hours. Reading the information boards in each room share interesting details that bring each space to life. The best part is that because there’s so much to see as well as new exhibits every few months, visiting regularly will offer new things to see.
Ask about the scavenger hunt
Families visiting Glanmore House with kids should ask about the different scavenger hunts that are available. Even when I saw them, I thought I’d love a go at doing one! The scavenger hunts offer a fun way for children to stay engaged and excited to explore the building.
Attend events
Before you go, check out if there are any upcoming events at Glanmore House. Throughout the year, Glanmore hosts a variety of events. This summer, in July there’s a family friendly Games in the Garden event. During October for the Halloween season, the home is transformed with their Creepy Curiosities exhibit, which is a must for those looking for fun things to do in October! Plus, during December Glanmore is decked out for Christmas and always puts on a holiday event.
Frequently Asked Questions about Glanmore House
Where is the Glanmore National Historic Site located?
Glanmore is located in the city of Belleville, Ontario. The address is 257 Bridge St E, Belleville, ON K8N 1P4
What are the operated hours of Glanmore House?
Opening hours during June, July, & August are: Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 4pm, closed Monday. From September to May its hours are: Tuesday to Friday 12pm – 4pm, Saturday & Sunday 1pm – 4pm, and closed Monday.
How much does it cost to visit?
Admission rates for Glanmore are as following:
Adults $ 8.00
Adults 55+ $ 6.50
Students $ 6.50
Children 5-10 $ 4.50
Children Under 5 Free
Family Rate $ 25.00
Insider tip: Glanmore House is free on National Museum Day, which is May 18.
Does the Glanmore House do tours?
Tours are available for small and large groups when booked in advance. However, there are numerous information plaques throughout the building that share details of each space. Plus, you can take a virtual tour online.
Is the Glanmore House haunted?
During my visit I asked if Glanmore National Historic Site is haunted. My tour guide shared that she had never encountered anything after years of working in the building. However, many say it’s one of the many haunted houses in Ontario.
There have been reports of lights flickering and even stories from former family members who lived in the house. Plus, APTN’s Ghosthunters of the Grand River filmed in the building with the episode appearing in Season 3 of the show.
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If you’re looking for unique places to visit then I highly recommend planning a visit to Glanmore National Historic Site. This grand building is full of history, intriguing stories and incredible art and décor. So, if you want to step back in time for a few hours, plan a visit to Glanmore for a little Victorian era fun!
Looking for other unique grand homes to visit in Ontario? Check out Castle Kilbride!
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