Bellevue House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bellevue House |
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| Type | Historic House |
| Location | 35 Centre Street Kingston, Ontario, Canada |
| Built | 1840–1841 |
| Built for | Charles Hales |
| Architectural style(s) | Italian Villa |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
| Official name: Bellevue House National Historic Site | |
| Designated | 6 July 1995 |
| Reference no. | 388 |
Bellevue House National Historic Site is a special place in Kingston, Ontario. It was once the home of Sir John A. Macdonald, who became Canada's very first Prime Minister. He lived here with his family from 1848 to 1849.
The house was built around 1840 for Charles Hales. He was a rich merchant (a person who trades goods) in Kingston. Bellevue House is located at 35 Centre Street. It is one of the first buildings in Canada to show the Italian Villa style of architecture. Sir John A. Macdonald moved into the house with his wife, Isabella Clark, and their son, John Alexander, in 1848.
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What Bellevue House Looks Like
Bellevue House is famous for its unique Italian Villa style. This style is not perfectly balanced or symmetrical. It has an L-shape with two parts (wings) coming out from a square tower in the middle.
The house also has different kinds of windows and roof gables. Gables are the triangular parts of a wall under a sloping roof. You can also see many small balconies on the house.
Inside the House
The house has three main floors. But it is actually divided into seven different levels. On the first floor, there is a very large drawing room. This room has a piano made in London, England, around 1820. There are also two oil paintings there.
The first floor also has a formal dining room. Another room is thought to be Isabella's bedroom. In the past, for other families, this room might have been a "morning room." This was a bright room used for relaxing or doing light activities.
The kitchen is in the cellar, which is like a basement. The basement also has a storage area. This area was used to keep fruits, vegetables, and preserved foods. There is also a laundry room in the basement.
On the top floor, you can find several rooms. These include a guest room, a maid's bedroom, and a nursery for children. There is also a study, a dressing room, and the main bedroom. From the central tower's top floor, you can look out over Lake Ontario.
Bellevue House Through Time
Sir John A. Macdonald's Time, 1848–1849
We know a lot about Sir John A. Macdonald's time at Bellevue House from his own letters. He wrote five letters while living there. The Macdonalds rented Bellevue from Charles Hales. They hoped the fresh air outside Kingston would help Isabella feel better.
Sadly, Isabella did not get better. The family also faced a sad event when their first son, John Alexander Jr., passed away in the house. This happened a month after his first birthday.
Sir John A. Macdonald was a lawyer and a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. This meant he was often away from Bellevue House. He would visit his law office in Toronto or attend meetings in Montreal. Isabella's health continued to change during this time. Even though she was often unwell, Macdonald's letters show she kept a close eye on the servants and the house.
Important people like Macdonald were expected to host parties. But Isabella's health made it hard for her to do this. So, the drawing room and back parlour were likely not used much by the Macdonald family. The only guest known to have stayed at Bellevue House during their time was Lt. Col. John Clark. He was Isabella's brother and a trusted family member.
Renting Bellevue House was expensive. Also, Isabella continued to be unwell. So, the Macdonald family moved from Bellevue House in 1849. They moved to another house in Kingston. Isabella was expecting their second child, Hugh John Macdonald, at the time.
From Family Home to Historic Site, 1849–1967
Bellevue House was home to many middle-class families in Kingston for many years. In 1964, Parks Canada bought the house. They wanted to remember Sir John A. Macdonald and his importance.
Over the years, the house had been changed a lot. Things like electricity, indoor plumbing, and central heating were added. The way the rooms were laid out also changed. Parks Canada historians and archaeologists did a lot of research. They wanted to find out how the house looked in the late 1840s.
The house was then carefully restored, both inside and out. It was painted in its original colors. The wallpaper patterns were also put back. Furniture from the 1820s to 1840s was bought from antique shops. This helped make the house look as real as possible. The site also received a few items that belonged to Macdonald. These included some of his books. Bellevue House opened as a "national historic park" in 1967. This was the same year as the 100th birthday of Canadian Confederation.
Who Lived at Bellevue House
Here is a list of some of the people who lived in Bellevue House:
- 1839–1841: Charles Hales, who built the house.
- 1841–42: A tenant (someone who rents).
- 1842–1845: Charles Hales again.
- 1845–1848: Different tenants, including Col James Harvey and William Ermatinger.
- 1848–49: John A. and Isabella Macdonald.
- 1849–1851: The house was empty.
- 1853–1869: Mr. & Mrs. Ferguson.
- 1869–1879: James Davis.
- 1870–1877: Thomas Baker.
- 1877–1887: Lt. Col. P W Worsley.
- 1887–1905: James Wilson.
- 1905–06: Herbert Howard.
- 1906–07: The house was empty.
- 1907–1923: John Nathan Gilbert.
- 1923–1927: The house was empty.
- 1927–1959: F. W. Atack.
- 1959–1964: Dr. J. M. R. Beveridge, a professor at Queen's University.
Visiting Bellevue House Today
Today, Bellevue House is a National Historic Site. It is owned and managed by Parks Canada. It is the only national park site that specifically remembers Macdonald as Canada's first Prime Minister. It is also one of the main places to visit in Kingston.
When you visit, you can explore an exhibit called "The Many Voices of Confederation." You can also see a changing exhibit in the Visitor's Centre. You can look at old items and learn what life was like for the Macdonald family in the 1840s.
The visitor centre is located where the old coach house used to be. It has displays with items related to Sir John and a gift shop. Visitors can look around and take photos. Then, they can go to the historic house. There, you can take guided tours or explore on your own. Guides dressed as gentlemen and maids from the 1840s are there to help you learn.
