Bellevue House National Historic Site of Canada

Visitor Information

An Invitation

Come to Bellevue House and journey back to 1848. In that year, John A. Macdonald, a prominent Kingston lawyer, brought his family to live in this picturesque villa on the outskirts of Kingston. Macdonald, at that time, was a rising politician. Later he achieved lasting renown as Canada's first prime minister. Under his leadership, Canada developed from a few British colonies to a vast nation extending from sea to sea.

Bellevue House is a place of national significance because of its association with Sir John A. Macdonald and because it is a fine and early example of Italian-villa architecture. It is operated by Parks Canada to provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about Canada's first prime minister and the unique villa that was his home in the late 1840s.

Bellevue House National Historic Site is part of a system of national parks and historic sites throughout Canada administered by Parks Canada, a federal government agency within the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Parks Canada is committed to commemorating, protecting and presenting places which are significant examples of Canada's cultural and natural heritage in ways that encourage public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of this heritage in a sustainable manner.

• How to Get There
• Hours of Operation
• Fees
• Services
• Weather