Visit to John A. MacDonald House

Worthwhile, quaint Italian style architecture, period furniture that is original. People in costumes to reflect the 1800's in Upper Canada. Makes you appreciate modern day appliances and bright open concept living areas as this house was extremely dark and made me feel clausterphobic. Too many small rooms with clutter but that was Victorian living I guess that's what they liked.

Closed during March Break

Disappointing that it was closed, you would think during March Break it would have been opened.!!! You can see it from the sidewalk but because of the landscaping not much of the house is visible.

A spot for the History buff's

A neat tour that gives a video presentation then a tour of the villa. There are manicured / preserved grounds on site with heirloom and historical significance as well for the region so we enjoyed that. We enjoyed the visit in August when everything is in full bloom and there are full summer staff working in the house and the... more

Interesting visit

We really enjoyed our visit to Bellevue House. You watch a film about Sir John A. MacDonald and then tour the house he lived in. The house is interesting architecturally and contained many artefacts of the time. The written information was useful, but I would have liked more of it. The garden is fascinating. They have plants that you wouldn't... more

Real History

I have been visiting these hallowed halls since I was a teenager and have brought my daughters here with pride. There is something about this house that brings the feeling of history to life and it was wonderful to see it come alive in my daughters eyes as well. Truly worth the visit.

Any day, but Tuesdays or Wednesdays

Because that is when it is closed. Short background video on entering the Visitor's Centre. Friendly and informative staff. Well kept grounds and a beautiful example of housing of that time period. Good information about the life and times of Sir. John A. MacDonald.

a nice, hidden little find

While killing time one afternoon on a short trip in Kingston, I was walking around with my son. We had just left the corrections museum and were just walking down the street. I saw a Parks Canada sign for the Bellevue House and walked down the side street to check it out.
We went into the visitor centre where we... more

Worth A Visit

We have attended Bellevue many times. We live in Kingston and it's a nice place to go with visitors or on our own. It's well done and well presented. We had a garden tea after our last visit. The house is wonderful.

A must

A must to see when visiting Kingtson! We visited the site many years ago; however, we were very interested and impressed by its history.

True blue history

for anyone into canadas history this is a good place to visit, You will see the original stuff that sir john a had and his actual house he lived in with his wife and kids.The staff is dressed up in period costumes and there is a scavenger hunt for the kids.A good little museum.

Interesting

I am a history buff so I liked the garden, the orchard and the fact that a 170 year old house is protected. Even if John A only stayed there a while, it is a very good example of an Italianate building on a residential street in Kingston

It was ok

It was a nice old house. John A Macdonald lived here for 13 months and 3 things in the house were used by him and his family. We went for the afternoon tea but that was not on. There were only two people in costume. The guides were very knowledgable but I wasn't blown away by the house. I know... more

Lovely House Museum

The Bellevue House's claim to fame is that it was the home of the first prime minister of Canada. The weird part is that he only lived there for 1 year and he didn't own it, he rented. That said, the house was fully restored in the 1960's and is an interesting historical reminder of the 1800's. It's worth a... more

Come On In

The tour guides in period costume really brought this home of Sir John Macdonald alive. I felt that the great man could be back at any minute. Somehow, I used to imagine that great people lived the life of the elite, but this home truly looks like a place to live after struggling on the political front to make Canada... more

Amazing garden

This house is a look at John A. Macdonald's life before he was Prime Minister. It is lovely, with very helpful interpreters. But the garden was for me the absolute highlight! It is magnificent; vegetables, berries, flowers and herbs of all descriptions, many heirloom varieties, grown as they would have been in the day (twig and branch supports for the... more

A peek at Sir John A

It's a very instructive look at Sir John A. Macdonald's personal life with its difficulties and sadness, against the backdrop of his quest to drive the railroad through the country to unite us. We owe him our gratitude. The house itself is a fascinating keyhole peek at middle class life in the nineteenth century, with all its privations (no bathrooms... more

do they want visitors

Arrive in Kingston late Monday afternoon for two nights in June and had hoped to go round Bellevue House. We were most disappointed to find it closed - for both a Tuesday and Wednesday - for what we would consider to be in the tourist season. We asked the tour guide on the tourist trolley bus for the stop for... more

Great destination for history & architecture buffs alike

The Italianate/Italian Villa style of architecture here is really interesting and definitely unique to still be standing in this era, in this region. The multiple stairwells, combine with the shape of the house and its service entrances make for an interesting wandering experience.
The house used to be home to Canada's first Prime Minister, John A. MacDonald. However, in general,... more

enjoyable

The costumed guides were very well informed and willing to answer questions. This home has the nicest maid's quarters we've seen yet. The basement laundry area was also interesting. There are even guides in the garden, actually working away wearing period costumes in very hot weather.

good 1 hour attraction

As a local Ive been thru several times. usual tour of an olden day house with period furniture in place...walk through around the guide ropes...good for history buffs

Interesting

I went with my sister, who lives in Kingston and had never been to any of the touristy spots. While Sir John A Macdonald didn't live there for very long, and few of the artifacts in the home actually belonged to him, it is interesting to wander the rooms of the historic house and get a picture of how life... more

better than average

the site is essential to anyone with an interest in Canadian history and the personal life of one of our greatest historical figures. The tragic history of the house is a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of a public figure. The self-guided tour is an easy way to take in the house and its' history. the beauty of the gardens... more

Some good history

This is a former home of Sir John A. Macdonald. Only 3 or 4 items in the home actually belonged to him, and he and his family only lived in this residence for one year. I would say that was a disappointment. However, the house and museum did carry a lot of factual history to look at and read about.... more

Well put together and interesting

This house is interesting from an architectural standpoint and is a-typical for the place and time.
The house does have a connection to Sir John A. and they have capitalized on this well, providing an excellent perspective on his life - personal and professional.
Great little museum and love the garden etc. being kept as would have been at the... more

Alive with history

Lots of history about our 1st prime Minsiter, John A. MacDonald. The guides in costumes make it even better. Beautiful house and the price of the visit is really cheap. Worth the stop.

Bellevue House was once home to John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister. Its serene gardens, whimsical Italianate architecture, and beautiful interior are truly a sight to behold. It feels like stepping back in time, with its costumed interpreters dressed period costumes from the 1840’s.

The site is kid-friendly, with colouring pages and treasure hunts available. The staff hands out... more

Educational Experience

A lovely slice of history in a beautiful part of Kingston. Step back in time and wander the grounds and the building at your leisure.

Great historic site

This is another must see in Kingston - Sir John A's residence. Workers are all dressed in garbe from the era, so much history at this site its awesome.

Lovely House

It was great to see this beautiful home as it might have been when Sir. John A. MacDonald lived there. Friendly staff. Lovely grounds and garden.

Interesting house

We were the first to arrive and were welcomed in by a nice young guide. She explained the layout and told us the fee. A decent fee compared to some others. She then directed us to the media room where a great video gave a history of Sir John A, his family and Bellevue House. After watching the video, the... more

bellevue house

the guilded tour is very jnformative, the guild tells you very interesting facts about the history of the family and the house you can tour the house and gardens for as long as you want

Excellent

The actors that transforms themselves into Sir John A MacDonald/wife, etc are exceptional. They did a wonderful job. We went there to visit the Bellevue house and a play was going to happen so we stayed for it and afterwards we had tea. It was fantastic.

Very nice

This was a very nice way to learn some of Canada's history. The people working in the House are lovely, from the admissions to the gardner.

Interesting

Very low key and not crowded. Historically interesting. Staff very friendly

Step back in time

A tour of Bellevue House, where Sir John A Macdonald and his first wife Isabella lived for 13 months is an interesting way to spend an hour or so while in Kingston. It's true that most of the furniture etc was NOT owned/used by Sir John A, but some pieces are his - for example, his dictionaries, the crib brought... more

Well done! Very informative

Love seeing what the home of the first Prime Minister of Canada was like and the information. These people have done a very good job in the presentation and history of the times. Worth going to.

Interesting and informative visit

The house and gardens of this unique home is perfect for visitors of all ages. There is a beautiful working garden and orchard animated by weeders in historical costume. The visit to the house is self guided but there are bilingual staff (again in historical costume) on site knitting and washing etc making the home seem lived in. The film... more

Peek into Canadian history

We visited Bellevue House as a family recently. We have two kids (aged 6 & 7) and this was a great way to expose them to some Canadian history in an engaging and digestible way. The staff at the visitor centre were friendly and gladly answered our questions. Before the tour, they had us watch a 10 minute video on... more

Sir John A.'s Eye-talian willar

Some of the antiques in this overstuffed museum are not representative of Sir John A.'s early career, but it's a fascinating peek at a bygone era. Especially noteworthy are the scullery and the heritage garden.

Fascinating historic site

Bellevue House is one of the early homes of Sir John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada. It is meticulously furnished in period style, and the grounds have been restored to the reflect the gardens cultivated at the time. It has a separate building that provides background information and orientation. Visitors can make reservations for afternoon tea, served... more

I love Bellevue House so much that I have attended many of their special events. I really enjoyed the afternoon tea. The scones and shortbread are amazing! Also there is no admission on Canada Day, and there were many great organized activities.

Bellevue House was once the home of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister. Restored to the 1840's period, and staffed by costumed interpreters, the house and gardens are kept much as they would have been during the time that Macdonald lived here with his wife and infant son.

If you walk around historic Kingston, you'll notice plenty (PLENTY) of interpretation panels pertaining to the life of Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada's first Prime Minister.

Even though the MacDonalds didn't stay at Bellevue House for very long, Parks Canada chose to turn this beautiful Italian Villa into a museum because of its interesting architecture. The staff in period costumes are very... more

A former home of Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. McDonald, it's now one of Canada's National Historic Sites. The house is restored to the days of the 1840's and staff wear clothing from that time period.