Woodside National Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woodside |
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| Type | Childhood home of former Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. |
| Location | 528 Wellington Street North Kitchener, Ontario N2H 5L5 |
| Built | 1853 |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
| Website | Woodside National Historic Site |
| Designated | 1952 |
Woodside National Historic Site is a special place in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. It was the childhood home of William Lyon Mackenzie King, who later became a very important person: the Prime Minister of Canada. A Prime Minister is the leader of a country's government.
Mackenzie King lived in this house from 1886 to 1893, during his teenage years. The house itself was built in 1853. Many years later, a group of local people worked together to save the house. They wanted to make sure it wasn't torn down and that its history could be shared.
Today, Woodside has been carefully restored to look like it did during the Victorian era. This means it shows what homes were like in the late 1800s. Parks Canada, a government agency, now manages the site. They help visitors learn about Mackenzie King and life in the Victorian period.
The site covers about 11.5 acres (4.7 hectares) and includes beautiful wooded areas, gardens, and open lawns. You can watch a video about the King family and their time at Woodside. Special events and programs are offered at certain times of the year. While the house is open for visits on select dates from October to mid-December, the outdoor grounds are open all year round for everyone to enjoy.
What is Woodside National Historic Site?
Woodside is a place that helps us remember an important part of Canadian history. It's where William Lyon Mackenzie King grew up. He served as Prime Minister for many years, longer than any other Canadian leader.
The house and its surrounding land were officially named a National Historic Site in 1952. This special title means the site is protected and recognized for its historical importance to Canada.
Exploring Woodside: What Can You See?
When you visit Woodside, you step back in time to the late 1800s. The house shows what life was like for a family during the Victorian era. You can see how people lived, what their furniture looked like, and how they spent their days.
The large property around the house is also part of the historic site. It has lovely gardens and quiet wooded paths. It's a great place to imagine what it was like for the King family to live there over a hundred years ago.
See also
- List of historic places in Regional Municipality of Waterloo
- List of oldest buildings and structures in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo
