continued to offer the house as a residence for artists, while also establishing studios on the property for artists to rent and use as working spaces. They also transitioned into hosting more community events, such as art classes and workshops. After many years of planning and preparation, the biggest transformation occurred in 2021, when the main floor of the house was opened as a museum. Displayed in that museum is a variety of Caetani artifacts, many of which the Caetani Centre only recently got back. “In the years before she passed away, Sveva donated a lot of her family’s belongings to various museums,” Kristin explains. “She donated a large amount to the Museum and Archives of Greater Vernon. At least 48 of Ofelia’s haute couture outfits, custom designed by the likes of Coco Chanel, Madeleine Vionet and Jeanne Lanvin, went to the Kelowna Museum. A costume museum in Manitoba also received a few things, such as custom designed travelling case by the Louis Vuitton factory. Some items also ended up in private collections.” “Most of those items have been returned to the house and are now available to see in our museum.” Before opening the museum, however, the Caetani Centre had to “completely overhaul” the house to make it safe for use by the public. They called that effort the ‘Open House Project,’ which was funded primarily through grants and took place over an approximate five-year period. As part of the process, they installed a full sprinkler system, a brand, new security system, and a ductless HVAC system. They also added MARCH 2023
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