Curiosities at Passport Places
When you think of a historic site, you might think about the politicians that lived there, magnificent inventions and technological advances, archaeological materials, and household objects. What you probably aren’t thinking of are those weird objects that make you pause and go “huh?”. From two-headed calves, taxidermy and presidential assassinations, jewellery filled with human hair, and more, Passport Places are full of quirky objects and curious customs that are sure to captivate you.
Two-Headed Calf – Huron County Museum, Goderich, ON
Think you’re seeing double? Nope, this cow really does have two heads! This specimen, a two-headed calf, is a favourite among visitors to the Huron County Museum. He was born in 1936 not only with two heads, but also two tails!
Can’t get enough of this two-headed calf? Good news: the Huron County Museum is actually home to another two-headed calf that was born near Walton in 1925. Visit in-person to see it for yourself, and explore the rest of what the museum has to offer.
Hair Brooch – Bell Homestead, Brantford, ON
Talk about a personalized gift! This custom brooch, a gift from Alexander Merville Bell (Alexander Graham Bell’s father) to his wife is complete with the hair of their three sons: Melville, Alexander and Edward. This may seem like a strange gift, but in the Victorian period hairworks, or jewellery made with human hair, memorial hair jewellery was quite common and this would have been quite a loving and sentimental gift to receive.
Shoe in the Wall – Lougheed House, Calgary, AB
Something is in the walls at Lougheed House… and it’s a shoe! In 1891, as the finishing touches were made on this house, a child’s shoe was slipped into the wall to be sealed away for eternity. Over a century later, during restorations to Lougheed House, a mystery emerged – whose shoe was it, and why seal it in the wall? Dating back hundreds of years in Europe, the tradition of hiding a shoe in the wall meant that a house would be protected from evil spirits or influences. The shoe was always worn, and it almost always belonged to a child. At the height of the tradition’s popularity in the 19th century, it seems that one of the builders of the Lougheed home slipped it inside the wall as a good omen for the household. Today, the shoe has been relocated from the third floor Playroom, so all visitors to Lougheed House can enjoy it. But don’t worry – Lougheed House still made sure to keep a shoe in the original location just in case: a modern child’s flip-flop!
Schuco Bear – Dalnavert Museum, Winnipeg, MB
This little fellow from Dalnavert Museum’s collection is a Schuco Bear! He’s a small mohair bear – only 12cm tall when standing – and comes equipped with movable arms and legs, tiny black glass eyes, and a stitched nose and mouth. Most surprisingly, however, his head pops off to reveal a gilded glass perfume bottle! It appears that the bottle has never been opened, but the perfume has long since evaporated. He makes his home at Dalnavert in the children’s nursery display.
These bears were manufactured by the German company Schreyer & Co (often shortened to Schuco) from the 1920s through the 1970s. Their line of miniature bears was called Piccolo bears due to their small size. Designed to be small enough to fit in a handbag, other bears contained toiletry items such as lipstick, compact mirrors, or manicure sets.
Door to Nowhere – Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria, BC
In Craigdarroch Castle’s Dining Room, to the left of the built-in sideboard, is a mysterious door. A quick glance out the window reveals that this door leads to…nowhere! Outside, is a 5ft drop straight down onto the grass. The intended use of this door is unknown. The Castle’s original blueprints have been lost to time and, despite extensive digging, they have not yet been located.
Construction of Craigdarroch began in 1887. The project was beset with tragedy almost immediately when Architect Warren H. Williams passed away just four months into the Castle’s construction. He left the building in the hands of his assistant, Arthur L. Smith. Tragedy would strike again in 1889 with the sudden death of Robert Dunsmuir himself. He died just 17 months before Craigdarroch, his dream home, was complete. After Robert’s death his sons, James and Alexander, would oversee the construction of the Castle on behalf of their mother, Joan Dunsmuir. Perhaps, Craigdarroch’s blueprints were lost in the shuffle?
Joan Dunsmuir never felt comfortable living at Craigdarroch, telling a friend that she found the Castle to be “ostentatious.” Perhaps there were plans for an additional room that Joan halted. Or maybe the answer to the mysterious Door to Nowhere is something much stranger.
Our visitors have shared many theories over the years: Perhaps it was used for disposing of rude guests? Or to move a coffin through if a wake was being held at the house? Or, strangest of all, maybe this door was used to get rid of bad spirits that lingered in the home. What do you think? Come visit Craigdarroch Castle and take a look for yourself.
Miniature Fireplace – Morrin Centre, Quebec City, Quebec
As the weather gets cooler in Quebec City, one might desire the warmth of a beautiful fireplace like this one. The elegant black mantle is adorned with gold-painted lions and a crown with three feathers. Flowers, two pilasters, and other stylistic motifs decorate the cast-iron mantle, and it is completed with a brass fireguard. Does it seem like your dream fireplace?
Unfortunately, it likely would not have functioned in most homes as this fireplace stands at only 5 centimeters tall. In the 1800s, stores would display these miniature fireplaces for customers to view before they chose which model they would like for their homes.
This specific miniature fireplace likely came from the store of John Rickaby, a cabinetmaker who immigrated to Quebec City from Ireland in 1820. However, in 19th-century Quebec City, he might have also been known as Rickaby the Undertaker—at the time, cabinet-making, furniture-making, and coffin-making were all considered a single trade. Imagine being able to fulfill your fireplace and coffin needs all in one place!
This miniature fireplace (LHSQ 2004-190) is part of the Stephens Collection, which was given to the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec by Mary Hilda Freeland Stephens (1911–1999).
(Written and contributed by by Hee-Won Son, tours and heritage coordinator at the Morrin Centre)
The above historic sites are part of the Trust’s Passport Places program, a National Trust membership benefit that provides free access to over 100 historic places in Canada, as well as 1000+ National Trust places abroad. Become a member today!
