Bellevue House National Historic Site
Bellevue House
The Italianate villa of Canada's first prime minister, John A. Macdonald, restored to reflect life in the 1840s.
Bellevue House is an Italianate Tuscan-style villa built in the 1840s. Canada's first prime minister, John A. Macdonald, lived here from 1848 to 1849. The house was restored by Parks Canada to its appearance at the time. Costumed guides introduce Victorian-era home life, the garden, and the Macdonald family's history, and they also discuss the controversy over his policies toward Indigenous peoples. It is about a 20-minute walk from downtown, and it pairs well with a visit to the Kingston Penitentiary on the same day.
Opening hours
Summer approx. 10:00–17:00 (open dates per Parks Canada)
Nearby sights
- Agnes Etherington Art Centre
- Queen's University
- Kingston Penitentiary
- Murney Tower
- St. George's Cathedral
- Kingston City Hall & Market Square
- Fort Frederick & Royal Military College
- Fort Henry National Historic Site