Craigdarroch Castle was built in 1890 for Robert Dunsmuir, who was the wealthiest man in Western Canada at the time of his death.  Craigdarroch is one of Western Canada's only examples of a "Bonanza Castle"- a mansion built to reflect the new wealth of a North American industrialist.  Dunsmuir made his fortune based on coal mining and the burgeoning railway industry of the late 19th century.

The Castle today operates as a not-for-profit National Historic Site and is one of only a very few in the country which does so without the aid of government funding.

Craigdarroch has been restored to its 1890s state- complete with antique furnishings, stunning woodwork, and one of the finest collections of stained glass in North America.  The museum also tells the exciting, glamorous, and occasionally tragic stories of the Dunsmuir family.

The Castle is one of the top 3 most popular visitor attractions in Victoria, and relies on a wonderful but small core staff, and more than 80 volunteers to keep the place running.  All admissions and donations go towards the cost of running the museum, but most importantly towards the upkeep and ongoing restoration of the building.