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What the community has to say about Parkwood Estate & Gardens
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English
April 25, 2014
An Autobaron's home of innovation & inspiration, and one of Canada's last grand estates.
Immerse yourself in the era and lavish lifestyle of R. S. McLaughlin - beautifully preserved and so evocative of Jazz Age & Big Band styles in automobiles, fashions, sporting life and garden party.
Get up close and personal, with extensive access to historic spaces and fascinating stories of achievement and...
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I.A.
September 27, 2011
Reviews [1]
English
History
A great "free" place to take the kids and adore the gardens and history. Fees are present for tours, but you don't have to have a tour.
Other Reviews from the web
English
Don't Miss This Gem
April 19, 2014I have taken many visitors to see Parkwood Estate and all enjoyed it immensely. Some were visiting relatives with teenagers, while others were groups of adults. Both the mansion and the grounds are spectacular and historically interesting. The cantilevered staircase is architecturally iamazing, especially considering the era in which this house was built. The house has 95% of its original... more
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The Top Attraction in Oshawa
April 15, 2014"Colonel Sam's" Parkwood estate has breath-taking grounds combined with an historic mansion, located virtually in the centre of Oshawa. Afternoon tea in the gardens is a must for any summer visitor. If you make only one stop in Oshawa, be sure to see Parkwood.
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Oshawa must see
April 14, 2014Such a great place you must go when in town or living in the area . I waited 20 years then went and wondered why I waited so long
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Parkwood Tour
April 14, 2014This historical home is beautifully decorated in period pieces, including (mostly copies) of amazing artwork, and maintained to provide the atmosphere of its day. Tour guides provide a glimpse of the opulent life led by Col. Sam and the McLaughlin family. The surrounding gardens are lovely with an amazing variety of trees and manicured gardens. Many wedding photos are taken... more
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Picked chestnuts from the trees
April 14, 2014Built in 1916 to house the Robert Samuel McLaughlin family who's father started a carriage company which eventually became General Motors of Canada. What do you do when you become a millionaire? You build a really big house. Beautifully decorated with hand painted murals of the family, organ pipes built behind tapestry walls up the main staircase, a bowling alley,... more
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Stunning
April 14, 2014A must see if you are in the area. Beauitful mansion, gorgeous ground. A nice way to spend the afternoon. There have been many movies and series shot here. Murdoch just to name one.
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A Must See
April 14, 2014The absolute best time to visit Parkwood is in the summer. You can take the tour of Colonel Sam's grand home with some unique surprises and go back to an era that most of us only have read about. Then have lunch in the outside garden tea-house after walking through the gardens and grounds. This is something that I would... more
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Wonderful Piece of History
April 14, 2014Parkwood Estates is a wonderful piece of history in the middle of Oshawa. The attendants will take you through and explain everything about what you're seeing. The rooms are beautifully executed. And you find out some wonderful information about the history of the McGlaughlins. All in all it was a great experience.
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Love History
April 14, 2014
If you love history, you'll love Parkwood. The house is fascinating and the tour guides give you many interesting details of the McLaughlin family. To experience Parkwood at night (for a wedding) is amazing! The lighting, the serene atmosphere and wonderfully lit pathways provide a great experience. The grounds are open regularly at no cost to the public.
Throughout the...
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Free walk through the Gardens
February 23, 2014
It is a peaceful walk through the ground, the gardens are nice and the water fountains and hedges have a wow factor.
Not much in the way of flowers. They do use the regulars all lined up in patterns for some areas but there is soooo much more they could do with colour, mixing, and planting more perennial gardens with...
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Beautiful piece of History
January 10, 2014The house is beautiful and it was very interested to get a glimpse into the lives of this family. Col Sam was a very important to the development of General Motors in Oshawa. He was a very generous man, donating to many, many causes in Oshawa. The house has an inside swimming pool and bowling alley. I was also impressed... more
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beautiful gardens in the summer
November 25, 2013the gardens and fountains are a must see, a light lunch in the garden tea room is a moment to remember. while touring the house you will learnt about all the movies and TV shows that are filmed there.
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One of a kind in Oshawa
November 24, 2013This is a lovely old mansion (where a number of movies have taken place) worth seeing and the grounds are well maintained and it is especially nice to have an outdoor luncheon in the summer and then to tour the grounds and house. Over 30 years ago had my wedding photos taken there and still is a popular photo shoot.
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must see if in the area
November 24, 2013drop in , well worth it . A great house and a great Canadian lived there . He gave much to the city of Oshawa .
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Classic
November 24, 2013A great look at life as it used to be. In the center of the city, and lots of gardens to explore and enjoy.
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A must see
November 24, 2013A must see for our Canadian history. The mansion is stunning and the technology for the time is really delightful. Ask about the central vac. The grounds are stunning and high tea in the gardens is a must do! It is fun to look for areas in the house that you have seen in movies or tv shows.....eg it was... more
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Parkwood - a hidden gem within the city of Oshawa
November 24, 2013Parkwood was the former estate of R. S. McLaughlin and his family. Colonel Sam, as he is affectionately known, was the founder of General Motors of Canada. Parkwood is one of those places that once visited, you say to yourself "Why didn't I come here before." Take a tour of Parkwood and go back in history through the early 1900's... more
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I got married Here
November 24, 2013
What can I say! It was good enough to get married at! Beautiful mansion full of history, the grounds wonderfully kept up with beautiful flowers and fountains.
Knowing how many movies were made here from some of the oldies to classics, the movie stars,...and the Movies made here,...from Adam Sandler movies, (look up the place on line for a full...
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A delightful experience
October 07, 2013We were taken round the mansion by a personal guide who was very knowledgeable. Very interesting place and glad we went. The house is very large and you have to climb stairs at times. There is a lift installed in the house but it is not working, so bear this in mind if you have difficulty walking. However if you... more
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Well Worth the Visit
September 14, 2013I have been here many times and had my wedding photos here. I will never tire of this place. The grounds are beautiful, and the tour of inside the estate is definitely worth it! I would recommend any visitor to the area take in this attraction.
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Wonderful - very informative
September 08, 2013I have lived in this city for over 16 years and this was the first time I visited the Parkwood estate. It was a wonderful surprise. The tour was guided and full of information. The gardens are beautiful and a pleasure to walk through. It was nice to see the place in person that so many movies had been filmed... more
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A beautiful place
August 31, 2013We visited Parkwood last week 08/27/2013 with our 10 year old grandson. He was kept very interested by our tour guide who knew what little boys like to hear - secret passages, games, etc. We loved the home which is in very good condition and the tour was very extensive. We saw almost every room as they are all open... more
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Great tour
August 15, 2013Very interesting tour. Guide was very knowledgeable and humerus. Beautiful gardens and fountains outside, but the tour is extremely worth the low cost. Take advantage while in Oshawa.
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Parkwood Estate
August 07, 2013This is a beautiful mansion in the center of downtown Oshawa previously owned by the deceased Colonel R.S. McLaughlin. It is worth going on a tour of this gorgeous mansion even though the building is starting to age. It takes you back to a different era and pretty neat to see the beautiful landscape.
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My sister had her wedding photo's done here
August 05, 2013gorgeous, picture perfect. Highly recommend for the bride thinking of an outdoor area for photo's, just glorious. Easy access to parking, beautiful grounds, lovely atmosphere and architecture.
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What a Wedding
August 04, 2013My wife and i were lucky to be able to an indoor wedding on May 1st. Normally, after April 30th, weddings are outside only. although the gardens at Parkwood are worth a visit, it rained that May 1st. and we were ever so grateful to be indoors. The staff were very helpful with organizing the event. The rooms take one... more
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Parkwood estate home of late Sam McLaughlin pres GM Canada
August 03, 2013Excellent view of how the rich lived about 80 years ago. Music behind staircase, secret door from study to kids rooms upstairs, remote exterior light controls from easy chair etc.
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Park wood Estate
August 03, 2013What a beautiful place. The architecture of the building is amazing, the gardens are beautiful and the bowling alley in the basement is pretty cool.
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Parkwood Estate
August 03, 2013This is a must see when in Oshawa. Home of Colonel McLaughlin, founder of General Motors Canada. Timely estate,showing the home of the elite of the period. Well maintained in its historical condition. Many movie scenes are filmed here.
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Bridal Shower at Parkwood Tea House
August 03, 2013Absolutely stunning...the grounds are gorgeous, the water feature and tea room at the end is spectacular.
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Parkwood a great rainy day activity for kids
June 29, 2013I've took my 5-year old daughter to Parkwood on a rainy long weekend Sunday last summer and it was great. The building is generally well-preserved, and there are lots of interesting items to keep the interest of a child - well, a girl at least. I imagine a boy might find all the doilies and ladies' hats a bit of... more
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Beautiful Piece of History
June 23, 2013Beautiful museum & greatly priced tea house! Whats better than touring a gorgeous piece of Oshawa's history & sitting outside at the Tea House Restaurant afterwards? Nothing gets better than this!
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Lunch at the tea house
June 19, 2013Beautiful day wonderful setting but go eat at McDonalds , very poor service, poor food, high prices, lesson learned, Do NOT eat there
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Great Wedding place
May 27, 2013A great place to have a wedding. Old world décor and charm with the history create memorable moments to cherish. The gardens full of flowers, green grounds, a great place for photos. Good staff who have pride in their property not just work there.
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Perfect place to visit
May 12, 2013Find a nice day and go visit the Parkwood Estate with your family. The grounds are nicely kept and there is a cafe on site to grab a drink. Go to the Oshawa Public Library and get a free family pass to go.
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Tour back into History
May 08, 2013This is a great place to learn about some of the history in Oshawa. Great works of art, innovative ideas installed here..they also have a tea house where you can have a proper tea. The grounds are beautiful, there have been a lot of movies and tv shows filmed here as well. My daughter had her wedding ceremony here, the... more
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A real piece of history
April 13, 2013
Very nicely guided tour around grounds and buildings of somewhere that is an integral part of Canada's history.
If you want to learn some surprising facts about how Canada became great, this is a must visit.
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Wondeful place
March 13, 2013Lunch set among beautiful gardens and fountains at the garden resturant (Seasonal) Enjoy high tea with the girls or a nice pleasant meal with a good friend. Wonderful place for a mother daughter lunch as well
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Mansion Tour
March 04, 2013After several walks of the grounds during the summer months, my girlfriend and I finally took a guided tour of Parkwood's interior. I was very impressed with the knowledge and especially the warmness of our tour guide. The tour itself took about 45 minutes and was very informal. We chatted with the guide and the tour was very interactive as... more
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Tea House
February 23, 2013At the very back of the property, at the far end of the beautiful water fountains there is a summertime teahouse. It is open only in the summer and is a nice place for lunch or tea. The food is modest and the portions small but the beautiful property brings the experience up to 4 stars. It is a lovely... more
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very beautiful....when its open to view
January 22, 2013married at this estate in 1992. well groomed grounds. it is worth having a tour of the home but be warned that there is always a movie crew around shooting so the estate is closed to the public often. call ahead
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Beautiful, but showing age
January 13, 2013For an outside wedding or other event, this place is perfect. I have been to a couple weddings as well as work parties at this location and it is stunning. I have also been to a few wine and cheese type events inside. Again, it's a nice venue. On the inside the last time I was in it is getting... more
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Enjoyable Tour
January 10, 2013I have done the Parkwood tour twice - once with my brownie group and once this summer with my mother-in-law. Both times it was very enjoyable. There is so much history attached to the home, and the estate is gorgeous. Everything from the inside, the bedrooms, the entertainment areas and the outside grounds is well cared for and steeped in... more
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never have seen the bar outside open
December 13, 2012Beautiful to look at but I think that it could be a lots better if they had a full restarant inside the esate.The weddig that I went to there was a little let down.
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Great place to take a walk
November 17, 2012We love taking our kids here for a walk around the gardens when the weather is nice. Fantastic place to take a book and get in a quiet read in a great atmosphere.
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Places to Visit
November 01, 2012Well kept with beautiful historical gardens. Afternoon tea is lovely. They often have special presentations geared especially to women. Hats through the ages. Lingerie of the 20's
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Interesting
October 06, 2012It's so fun being a tourist in your own city! I've lived here for 30 years and this is the first I've learned about the mansion. The gardens were beautiful and fountains too. It was was surprising how advanced the technology was for the time they lived. Very interesting.
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photo shoot
September 05, 2012I really liked the sculptures, gardens, the Italian garden, the architecture (house etc). I was there for a Literary Festival, it was a nice atmosphere for the event. There was a lot to photograph between authors.
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Grand style
August 06, 2012Ever wonder how the "other half" lives? Here's your chance to find out. Visit Parkwood Estate, the home of "Colonel Sam" MacLaughlin, President of GM Canada. Hidden passages, a bowling alley and a beautiful art gallery on the second floor. Don't miss a walk through the gardens!
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A fascinating find
July 20, 2012I did not walk into the Parkwood Estate with high expectations as the from of the mansion appeared humble in size and decor, but do not let this deter you. I highly recommend a stop at the estate for anyone traveling in the area. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and well-trained. They share a multitude of fascinating facts and trivia... more
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Business Description from the Web
English
November 05, 2013
Parkwood Estate was the home of the late Col. R.S. and Mrs. McLaughlin. Col. McLaughlin’s father founded the McLaughlin Motor Car Company, which then became General Motors, with Col. McLaughlin as its president.
The 55-room mansion has been maintained in its original state, complete with furnishings, carpeting, paintings and even family photos. Visitors can tour more than 30 rooms and sample...
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March 29, 2013
The history of the "inter war" years in Oshawa is reflected in the Parkwood Estate. This picturesque Mansion has a landscape and interiors done in the 1920's and 30's style. This estate is one of the last intact remains of the lifestyle that was in the inter war years in Canada. The Parkwood Estate was used as a private residence for the longest of times, however, now is a heritage site and is... more
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