History on the rocks

Seagram Distillery, Waterloo

Having transferred to University of Waterloo just last semester, I'm still pretty new to the town. Waterloo was first settled in the early 19th century, and many of the buildings from that century have survived.

The Seagram Distillery produced whiskey up until 1990. Since then, it has been converted into lofts.

I've driven by this old distillery plenty of times, and finally remembered to bring my camera today. I'm so glad I did, because guess who was passing through Uptown Waterloo?

I ♥ zombie walks.

Weekend break

"Oh no, it's Friday," - said no one, ever.

Port Santilac, MI

Now that I'm back at school, I'm buried in homework and readings, surfacing only for coffee. So when last weekend hit, I took a much-needed break to venture outdoors and hit the States.

Driving along the thumb of Michigan, I turned down one of the side streets of Port Santilac, heading towards the water of Lake Huron, and what should I discover but this beautiful lighthouse property.

This property is currently up for sale for a cool $1.6 million. It was built in 1886 and the lighthouse is still active, guiding vessels into the nearby harbour.

Dream Homes ...to start saving for.

The English Vicarage is the epitome of elegance and grandeur, 

which compliments nicely it's surrounding countryside.

♥♥♥

The Old Rectory, Brandsby, North Yorkshire  

£3,500,000

Dates back to the 16th century, 41 acres.

The adjoining cottage.

The Old Rectory, Doncaster, South Yorkshire 

£1,000,000

Dates back to 14th century, 0.85 acres.

Vaulted ceiling, in one of the four bedrooms.

The Old Church Fenton Rectory, North Yorkshire

 £850,000

9 bedrooms, 4.4 acres

A wooden swing in the private gardens.

Georgian Rectory, Biddestone, Wiltshire

£3,900,000

Dates back to the 19th century, 2.5 acres.

A stone wall on the edge of the courtyard.

 ♥♥♥

I Dream of Libraries

Trinity College, Dublin

Old Library, houses the famous Book of Kells.

Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland looks incredibly beautiful. I've never been, but I can guess my reaction...

Belle, Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Of course, Belle's library looks a bit different.

A lot of colour and curvy staircases....

pinterest

Trinity College Old Library, Long Room

Pictures of Trinity College courtesy of Wikipedia.

BYOC (Bring Your Own Carriage) to Langdon Hall

Langdon Hall

I wish I could have arrived at Langdon Hall in a horse drawn carriage. This 25,000 square foot Cambridge, Ontario estate is a well-preserved, and functioning no less, historical gem. This grand property, now a hotel and spa, was once the summer estate of Eugene Langdon Wilks (1855-1934), son of Matthew Wilks and Eliza Astor Langdon, while he and his wife Pauline Wilks (née Kingsmill) spent their winters abroad.

Greeted in the foyer by a cheery fireplace, one of 63 wood-burning fireplaces throughout the property.

One of my favourite features of the house is the octagon balcony above one's head in the foyer.

After Pauline died in 1914 of cancer, Wilks married Marguerite Briquet and had three children.

The Red Room, what used to be the Ladies Parlor, hangs a portrait of the last Wilks descendent to reside in Langdon Hall.

The distinct feature of the Red Room is the domed ceiling, which was designed for whispers to be heard across the room.

When the house was bought by in 1987 by the current owners, William Bennett and Mary Beaton, the property was in a state of disarray. William, an architect, and Mary renovated the property over a year and half, and several new additions were added on.

The newly added Sunroom.

Exposed brick in the Sunroom.

The Billiards Room, complete with an historical map of the local counties.

Langdon Hall has hosted movie sets (Conrad Black) and magazine shoots (Style at Home's November issue, all wreath's were shot here).

Langdon Hall serves traditional tea here every Friday and Saturday afternoon. So classy, I love it.

Langdon Hall has been a member of the prestigious hotel group, Relais & Châteaux since 1991.

The very sleek-and-chic bar.

On the wall in the bar proudly hangs pictures handed down by the Wilks family.

Famous guests who have stayed here include the cast of Red (2010), while they were filming next door.

Guest Suite, one of 52 on the property

So plushy.

Langdon Hall is also home to fine dining, being awarded the Five Diamond Award from AAA/CAA

Dining Room

Lovely ceiling details, which were refurbished and brought back to all it's former glory.

When preparing his menu, Grand Chef Jonathan Gushue and his culinary staff head to the garden.

Props to my tour guide, Jessica, for taking the time out to show me around and tell me all about the wonderful history of Langdon Hall.

See more about Langdon Hall here.

I'll be joining in the fun at Type A: Anything Goes and No Minimalist Here: Open House linky parties this week.

The Land Where Palm Trees Sway

Hawaii.

♥

Sand. Surf. Sun.

And history...

 

USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor

 

 Hawaii's wartime memorials, their victories and tragedies, are not the only significant historic landmarks of these small and wonderful islands.

Interior

Hawaii is also home to the only official royal residence of the country, Iolani Palace. The Hawaiian Monarchy lived and reigned in this National Historic Landmark from 1882-93.

Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959.

Iolani Palace

It's odd to see this building, so influenced by European design, with palm trees in the front yard!

Interior: Central Hall

All these buildings you see here, you see on Hawaii 5-0 (Ba-ba-ba-bahhhh!).

 

***

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia