TOURS
One of the Most Intriguing Historical Places in BC
The Caetani Centre is home to one of most intriguing historical places in British Columbia. It is both one of the “best kept secrets” and one of the most beloved of Vernon BC’s tourist attractions.
We invite you to come find out why as you explore the history and lore held inside of this 130+ year-old heritage house. Learn about the fascinating world of this elusive branch of the Caetani family, descendants of Italian royalty, and their intriguing story through guided, self-guided or private tours of the Caetani House.
Chanel, Vuitton and a Letter from Einstein…
Sveva Caetani donated her house and property to the Greater Vernon community in 1994. It took until 2021 for this to become a reality, with the return of some of the family’s collections from museums across Canada and around the world. Some of the family’s belongings, heirlooms, jewelry and fashion were sold or went to auction and will never be returned.
On your tour, you will be able to view what has been returned to Sveva’s former home, including vintage haute couture Chanel and Vionnet fashions, luggage designed for the family by Vuitton, and a letter to Sveva Caetani from Albert Einstein, hand signed (and with a small typo!). Family photographs and home movies are also on display.
Sveva’s Life’s Work Returns Home
Since the 2021 repatriation of Sveva’s watercolour series, Recapitulation, sections of the luminous and awe-inspiring series have been shown in the Caetani Gallery during the summer months.
In 2025, the entire series of 47 paintings left the Caetani Centre for an exhibition at the MAXXI - National Museum of 21st Century Art in Rome, Italy.
The artwork is now back in Vernon, B.C, and is part of the new exhibition: Sveva Caetani: Her life and Art in the Caetani Gallery. The exhibit opens in April 2026 and continues to the end of August and is part of the Caetani Centre’s guided tour season in the summer.
Learn more about the exhibit here.
Click here to learn more about Sveva Caetani’s fascinating story.
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Come see our ever-evolving heritage displays, Caetani home videos, 1920’s haute couture, and a variety of art work by Sveva Caetani, including select pieces from her Recapitulation Series. Information cards are placed throughout the museum to support your self-guided experience.
Our office hours through the summer are from 10 AM to 4 PM Tuesday to Saturday.
Drop-ins are available, except during guided tours
We will also be closed to tours on Saturday, June 20, during our Summer Solstice Art and Music Festival and on July 1st, 2026.
The Caetani Centre is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Please contact us at 250-275-1525 if you have any questions.
Admission is $10 for Adults, $6 for Youth (13-19), and free for kids 12 and under.
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Regular Guided Tours start Saturday, May 16th, 2026 and continue on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at varying times.
Join our interpreters for a guided tour of the 130-year-old Caetani house. Learn the story of the Caetani’s Italian heritage dating back centuries and the story of their arrival in Vernon, BC. See our collection of haute couture, art and home movies. End your tour with a glimpse of Sveva Caetani’s Arts and Life exhibition in our gallery.
Please Contact Us if you have any questions or wish to book a School Tour or Private Guided Tour throughout the year.
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Private Guided Tours of the Caetani Centre are available throughout the year for families, book clubs, special interest groups, corporate groups and more.
Private Tours are available by appointment only.
Please Contact Us to make arrangements.
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Our field trip program connects students to curricular competencies in Social Studies, Arts Education, English Language Arts, as well as other related disciplinary curricular connections.
Field Trips are available Tuesdays to Fridays from September to June.