Parkwood Estate facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Parkwood
View toward the front of the house in 2007
Location	270 Simcoe Street North Oshawa, Ontario, Canada L1G 4T5
Original use	Residential estate
Current use	Historic house museum
Website	parkwoodestate.com
National Historic Site of Canada
Designated	1989

The Parkwood Estate is a beautiful historic home in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. It was once the home of Samuel McLaughlin, who founded General Motors of Canada. The McLaughlin family lived here from 1917 to 1972. This amazing house was designed by a famous architectural firm called Darling and Pearson. Building started in 1916. In 1989, Parkwood became a National Historic Site. Today, you can visit Parkwood Estate and take tours all year long!

Exploring Parkwood Estate

Parkwood Estate shows us what homes looked like in the 1920s and 1930s. The people who protect Canada's historic places say it's a special example of a large estate from that time. It's unique because it's still almost exactly as it was when the family lived there. It even has the original furniture and items!

The McLaughlin family called Parkwood home for many years, from 1917 until 1972. The Canadian government made it a National Historic Site in 1989. That same year, R.S. McLaughlin was named a National Historic Person. After that, Parkwood was opened to the public for tours.

Inside the Mansion

The inside of Parkwood shows off early 20th-century design. You can see original housewares, books, photos, and even trophies. Everything is displayed just as it was when the family lived there. Some walls have cool paintings by Canadian artists like Frederick Challener. You might also spot carved wood, fancy plaster, and even hidden panels or secret stairways!

This huge mansion has 55 rooms. It covers about 15,000 square feet (1,400 m²) of space. This includes the basement and the rooms on the third floor where the servants lived.

The Beautiful Gardens

The Formal Garden

The McLaughlin family loved gardening and landscaping. They had eleven greenhouses and a team of 24 gardeners! Mr. McLaughlin hired the best designers to create his amazing gardens. These included Harries and Hall in the 1910s, Howard and Lorrie Dunington-Grubb in the 1920s, and John Lyle in the 1930s.

The gardens at Parkwood remind us of grand gardens in England and Europe. But they also have a modern feel from the 20th century. Much of the design was inspired by the English Arts & Crafts gardening style. This style meant the gardens were very formal near the house. As you moved further away, they became less formal, with wide, perfect lawns.

The edges of the property had thick woods and cedar hedges. These hedges divided the land into different areas. There were formal gardens, places for fun, and even farming areas. Here, they grew cut flowers, fruits, and vegetables. The hedges also made sure you couldn't see the whole garden at once. Instead, garden gates invited visitors to explore different views and experiences.

Soon after the family moved in (around 1917), designers Harries & Hall started working on the gardens. They connected each main room of the house to a terrace or garden right outside. This led out to the beautiful wooded park. The gardens were made even better in the early 1920s by H.B. and L.A. Dunington-Grubb. This husband-and-wife team created amazing outdoor "garden rooms." These included the Italian Garden, Sundial Garden, Summer House, and the Sunken Garden. They also improved the South Terrace and designed the fancy lattice fences for the tennis court and Italian Garden. The Dunington-Grubbs were very important in their field. They helped start the Society of Landscape Architects and Sheridan Nurseries. Sheridan Nurseries is still successful today and supports the Parkwood Foundation.

The last big additions to the gardens happened between 1935 and 1936. Architect John Lyle designed the Formal Garden. He even won a special award for its design! This two-acre garden has a modern art style.

Today, the gardens at Parkwood have been brought back to look just like they did in the 1930s. Three greenhouses are still used to grow plants from that time. These greenhouses also display palms, orchids, and tropical plants. You can find the Japanese Garden and the Greenhouse Tea Room inside them.

Parkwood on Screen: Filming Location

Parkwood Estate is so beautiful and historic that it's often used for movies, TV shows, and photo shoots. You might see it in fashion magazines or advertisements. It's one of Ontario's most popular places for filming. The Ontario Media Development Corporation helps arrange these filmings.

Movies and TV Shows Filmed Here