Earnscliffe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Earnscliffe |
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| Location | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Built | 1855–57 |
| Current use | Residence of the British High Commissioner to Canada |
| Architectural style(s) | Gothic Revival |
| Owner | United Kingdom government (since 1930) |
| Designated | May 30, 1960 |
Earnscliffe is a beautiful old house in Ottawa, Ontario. It's built in a style called Gothic Revival, which means it looks a bit like old castles or churches. This special house was once the home of Sir John A. Macdonald, who was Canada's very first Prime Minister! Today, it's where the British High Commissioner to Canada lives. The High Commissioner is like an ambassador for the United Kingdom in Canada.
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Where is Earnscliffe Located?
Earnscliffe is in a great spot in Ottawa. It sits high up, looking over the Ottawa River. You can find it just east of the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge. It's also near Sussex Drive, a famous street in Ottawa.
Earnscliffe: A National Historic Site
Earnscliffe is more than just a house; it's a very important place in Canada's history. It has been named a National Historic Site. This means it's a place that tells an important story about Canada. A special plaque from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada is there.
Because it's a home for a diplomat, you usually can't visit inside. But sometimes, for special events like Doors Open Ottawa, the public can get a rare peek! Earnscliffe became a National Historic Site on May 30, 1960.
The History of Earnscliffe House
Earnscliffe was built between 1855 and 1857. It was built by Thomas McKay's company for his son-in-law, John McKinnon. Sadly, McKinnon passed away in 1866.
Who Lived in Earnscliffe?
After McKinnon, the house was bought by Thomas Keefer, another of McKay's sons-in-law. Two years later, in 1868, Keefer sold it to Thomas Reynolds. Reynolds was a person who helped build railroads. He lived there for several years. It was during his time that the house got its unique name, "Earnscliffe." This old word means "eagle's cliff."
Reynolds died in 1879. His son then sold the house to Sir John A. Macdonald in 1883. Macdonald had visited Reynolds at the house before. Some stories say that Macdonald himself helped name the house. He suggested using "Earn," an old English word for eagle, to go with "cliff."
Sir John A. Macdonald's Home
Sir John A. Macdonald made some changes to the house in 1888. In 1891, he became very ill. He passed away in his room at Earnscliffe.
After his death, his wife, Lady Macdonald, continued to live there for a short time. Queen Victoria even gave her a special title: Baroness Macdonald of Earnscliffe. Soon after, Lady Macdonald and her daughter moved to England. They leased the house to Lord Treowen, who was a military commander. For many years, other important local people lived in the house.
Earnscliffe Today: The British High Commissioner's Residence
In 1930, William Henry Clark bought the house for the British government. He was the very first British High Commissioner to Canada. Since then, Earnscliffe has been the official home of the British High Commissioner.
On October 4, 2011, a small fire happened at the building. The British High Commissioner at the time, Andrew Pocock, was safe, and no one was hurt.
