Bellevue House facts for kids
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| Established | Early 1840s |
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| Location | 35 Centre Street Kingston, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | Historic House |
| Nearest parking | On site (no charge) |
| Designated: | 1995 |
Bellevue House National Historic Site was the home of Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John Alexander Macdonald. He lived here from 1848 to 1849. This important house is found in Kingston, Ontario. It was built around 1840 for Charles Hales, a rich merchant from Kingston. Bellevue House is special because it's one of the first examples of Italian Villa architecture in Canada. Sir John A. Macdonald moved into the house with his wife, Isabella Clark, and their son, John Alexander, in 1848.
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Cool Architecture and How the House Looks Inside
Bellevue House is famous for its unique Italian Villa style. This type of architecture is not perfectly balanced. Instead, it has interesting features like an L-shape. It also has two wings that stretch out from a central square tower. You'll see different kinds of windows and roof shapes. There are also many small balconies.
The house has three main floors. But it's actually split into seven different levels! On the first floor, there's a very large drawing room. It has an old piano from London, England. There are also two oil paintings of people we don't know. This floor also has a formal dining room. Another room is thought to be Isabella's bedroom.
The kitchen is in the basement. This lower level also has a storage area. It was used for keeping fruits, vegetables, and preserves. There's also a laundry room. On the top floor, you can explore several rooms. These include a guest room, a maid's bedroom, and a nursery. There's also a study, a dressing room, and the main bedroom. From the very top of the central tower, you can see Lake Ontario.
A Look Back: The History of Bellevue House
Sir John A. Macdonald's Time Here (1848–1849)
We know a lot about Sir John A. Macdonald's time at Bellevue House. This information comes from history books and five letters he wrote while living there. The Macdonalds rented Bellevue from Charles Hales. They hoped the fresh air outside Kingston would help Isabella get better. Sadly, Isabella did not recover from her long-term illness. Even more sadly, their first son, John Alexander Jr., died in the house. This happened just a month after his first birthday.
Sir John A. Macdonald was a lawyer and a member of the government. He was often away from Bellevue House. He would visit his office in Toronto or attend meetings in Montreal. Isabella's health kept changing during this time. Even though she was often sick, Macdonald wrote that she kept a close eye on the servants. She also managed the daily tasks of the house.
Important people like Macdonald were expected to host parties. But Isabella's poor health meant she couldn't do this. So, the drawing room and back parlour were likely not used much. The only guest known to have stayed at Bellevue House was Isabella's brother. He was Lt. Col. John Clark, an officer in the British military.
Renting Bellevue was expensive. Also, Isabella continued to be sick. So, the Macdonald family moved from Bellevue House in 1849. They went to another house in Kingston. When they moved, Isabella was expecting their second child, Hugh John Macdonald.
From Family Home to Historic Site (1849–1967)
After the Macdonalds left, other middle-class families lived in Bellevue House. Then, in 1964, Parks Canada bought it. They wanted to remember Sir John A. Macdonald. 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 know how the house looked in the late 1840s. They restored it both inside and out. They used the original colours and wallpaper patterns. Furniture from the 1820s to 1840s was bought from antique shops. This made the house feel as real as possible. The site also received some items that belonged to Macdonald. This included part of his library. Bellevue House opened as a "national historic park" in 1967. This was to celebrate 100 years since Canadian Confederation.
Visiting Bellevue House Today
Bellevue House is now a National Historic Site. Parks Canada owns and runs it. It's the only national park site that celebrates Macdonald as Canada's first Prime Minister. It's also one of the main attractions in Kingston.
When you visit, you can explore an exhibit called "The Many Voices of Confederation." You can also see changing exhibits in the Visitor's Centre. You can look at old items and learn what life was like for the Macdonalds. You'll see how a middle-class family lived in Kingston in the 1840s.
The visitor centre is where the old coach house used to be. It has displays with items related to Sir John. There's also a gift shop. You can look around and take photos. Then, you can go to the historic house. You can take a guided tour with people dressed as gentlemen and maids from the 1840s. Or you can explore on your own!
