Accession Number

2022.007.024

Description

A sepia-toned photograph of four men and one boy with eight horses outside of the stable at Hatley Park. A shadow of a roof behind the photographer is cast on the ground. The horses are unsaddled.

Narrative

This photograph depicts a scene outside the stable at Hatley Park. At left, James and Laura Dunsmuir's coachman's son, Harry Mann, holds the horse named "Beauty" which belonged to Dola Frances Dunsmuir. Beside him wearing jodhpurs is James Dunsmuir Jr. holding his dappled grey horse named "Kismet", and a darkly-coloured horse. Mann family members hold the remaining 5 horses.

Coachman, William Edward John (‘Fred’) Mann, not depicted in this photograph, was in charge of the stables at Hatley Park. Also employed were his sons, Charlie, Bill and Jack. His youngest son, Harry, also helped out in the stables when not attending school.

The group is standing in the courtyard of the U-shaped stables and garage building. The coachman's home was attached to the stables at the east side of the building and the chauffeur’s home was attached to the garages on the west side. The building was added as part of the extensive estate development by Brett and Hall, 1912-1914.

The identification of estate staff and building information courtesy of Jenny Seeman, Archivist, Royal Roads University. 

History of Use

This photograph was in the possession of its photographer, Ernest Crocker, until shortly before his death in 1968. It was given by him to his friend who later gave it to the donor's late husband. It has been on Vancouver Island since its creation.

Date

circa 1913 – 1915

Dimensions

16.2 x 21.3 cm

Subject/Image

James Dunsmuir Jr. and Hatley Park employees the Messrs. Mann with seven horses outside stable at Hatley Park.

Support

Paper, Photographic paper

Country of Origin

Canada