Monday, June 26, 2017

Birkett Castle

Birkett Castle, as it's been called from its earliest days, returned to the Doors Open circuit this year. It dates back to 1896, built on behalf of its first owner, Thomas Birkett, who was the mayor of Ottawa at the time. It is done in a Baronial Gothic style. It has served several purposes after Birkett's day, including as the Japanese embassy and the headquarters for the Canadian Boy Scouts. Since 1994, this is the embassy for Hungary.


A good deal of the interior decorating details are Hungarian, such as the maps, tapestries, china, or a bust of King Stephen I in the entrance. The woodwork in here is incredible.

34 comments:

  1. Spectacular woodwork and detailing. Glad you were able to show so much of it.

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  2. I love everything about this place!

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  3. Lovely castle, both outside and inside.
    And I like also your previous posts.

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  4. Really nice details.
    I like it a lot.

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  5. ...Wow, built back when detail was important!

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  6. very cool. i love the style. nice!! i shared with my google friends too. happy week! ( ;

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  7. That's a wonderful castle, I love the wooden details.

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  8. @Kay: I was glad to get in.

    @Linda: me too.

    @Orvokki: a small castle, but it looks the part.

    @Gunn: thank you!

    @Tom: indeed!

    @Francisco: thanks!

    @Marianne: it certainly is.

    @Beth: it's quite striking.

    @Jan: me too.

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  9. Hello, the castle is beautiful inside and out. Great open door tour. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

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  10. Beautiful castle, I like the insides and the many details.

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  11. I love knowing the building's provenance!
    Repurposed and going strong!

    Janis
    GDP

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  12. Castles are such fun places to explore and the woodwork was magnificent.

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  13. Yes, the woodwork is very detailed with beautiful wood. 1895? they not only built beautiful buildings but built them to last.

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  14. Such a perfect example of it's time!! Thanks William

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  15. I like this caste. Stunning. Such magnificent details.

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  16. The woodwork in that transom window is simply amazing. Funny thing, when I first read your description, my mind read King Stephen as Stephen King and I thought why on earth would they have a bust of Stephen King! Even funnier when I saw the photo of the bust. There are some similarities there. ;-)

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  17. @Eileen: thank you!

    @Karl: it is quite a place.

    @Janis: it was well built.

    @Beatrice: I was pleased to be able to return here. It had been some years since it was last involved in Doors Open.

    @Red: they really did!

    @Cloudia: you're welcome.

    @Carolann: definitely!

    @Sharon: I can see the mind switching places on the two words!

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  18. Excellent details William, you are right the woodwork is marvelous. This interior has a wonderfully luxurious feel to it.
    P.s. I love your new header shot, as a Scot I'm rather partial to the bagpipes and a kilt :)

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  19. Beautiful castle!

    And I like your new header, too!

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  20. I enjoyed the photos of the inside. Always enjoy seeing how people live/lived. A lovely building and your header shot is great also.

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  21. What a lovely place, William! And I love your new header!!! :)

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  22. Beautiful details. Fun header! I would enjoy watching them dance.

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  23. What a beautiful castle and I like your new header, William.

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  24. Yep, like that header. Almost make me want to dance . . . almost. :-)

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  25. @Grace: it was time for a new header!

    @Norma: thank you!

    @Denise: this place is well kept up.

    @Halcyon: it certainly is.

    @Linda: thank you!

    @Tammie: it was quite an occasion when I took the header shot.

    @Bill: I agree!

    @Revrunner: I can't!

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  26. The woodwork is to die for. I doubt if there is a craftsman left that could do that today.

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  27. I love the header!
    The woodwork is amazing.

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  28. A beautiful castle worth visiting. Very interesting! Have a wonderful day!

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  29. This looks a lovely castle both outside and inside with amazing looking woodwork.

    All the best Jan

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  30. Thank you for the tour. It's small, but pretty castle. I like the details inside.

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  31. @Mari: they were true artisans back in the day.

    @Jennifer: it certainly is.

    @Nancy: thank you!

    @Jan: definitely!

    @Klara: you're welcome!

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