Why not dream big? And dream big early. Tour the Casa Loma castle or "House on the Hill" in Toronto, Canada for a business and history lesson of a dreamer.
Sir Henry Pellatt left his studies at age 17 to pursue business. By age 23, he acted as a full partner in his father's stock brokerage firm Pellatt and Pellatt. Henry founded the Toronto Electric Light Company in 1883. He acted as chairman of 21 countries by 1901. Henry had his Gothic Revival style castle built with 98 rooms in 180,000 square feet including Sir Henry's Study, Sir Henry's Suite, The Conservatory, The Billiard Room, Lady Mary's Suite, Breakfast Nook, The Great Hall, The Library, The Oak Room, and a theatre. The castle has served as a private home, nightclub, hotel, and now a public historical landmark you may tour.
Fun Facts: $3.5 million and 3 years to build; 800 foot underground tunnel; 5 acre estate garden; 8 language choices available in the self guided audio tour
Tips: Ticket price is high at approximately $30. Consider the Toronto City Pass. It costs more ($73 adult, $49 child), but the pass could save you overall if you visit multiple sites in Toronto. The pass includes entrance to multiple tourist attractions: 1) Casa Loma, 2) Royal Ontario Museum, 3) CN Tower, 4) Ontario Science Centre or Toronto Zoo, and 5) Ripley's Aquarium of Canada.
Casa Loma gives Kindergarten to 8th Grade groups lower pricing ($10 each) and a variety of educational programs: General History Tour, Armour and Weapons, How Does Your Garden Grow, An Edwardian Childhood, Enchanted Tales of Lore, Legend, & Magic, Medieval Studies Tour, Hollywood Tour (movies featured Casa Loma including X-Men, Strange Brew, Chicago, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World), and Lady Pellatt's Lost Jewels Tour.
At only one month old, my son didn't soak in the historical stories. He might have enjoyed the sunshine in the garden. The gardens opened in 1990 and are included in the admission, thanks to the $1.5 million dollar renovation by The Garden Club of Toronto, The Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma, corporations, foundations, individuals, and the government. Keep on growing, learning, and dreaming!
At only one month old, my son didn't soak in the historical stories. He might have enjoyed the sunshine in the garden. The gardens opened in 1990 and are included in the admission, thanks to the $1.5 million dollar renovation by The Garden Club of Toronto, The Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma, corporations, foundations, individuals, and the government. Keep on growing, learning, and dreaming!
