Bellevue House National Historic Site of Canada

Natural Wonders & Cultural Treasures

History

A Visit to the Past

Bellevue House was built in the early 1840s for Charles Hales, a successful Kingston grocer. Asymmetrical in shape, with decorative balconies and a three-storey central tower, Bellevue contrasted with the traditional Georgian architecture of Kingston houses. Macdonald spoke of it as "the most fantastic concern imaginable." Other Kingstonians, inspired by Hales' occupation, nicknamed it "Tea Caddy Castle", "Molasses Hall", and "Pekoe Pagoda." Macdonald rented the house, motivated by the chronic ill-health of his wife, Isabella. He wrote of the "...complete quiet and seclusion of the house, which is completely surrounded by trees and has a fresh breeze ever blowing on it from Lake Ontario..." that, he hoped, would bring about an improvement in her condition. But their stay was brief. Isabella's health continued to be precarious. Macdonald himself was increasingly troubled by financial concerns. In September 1849, the couple moved again to smaller quarters in downtown Kingston.

Sir John A. Macdonald © Parks Canada

Sir John A. Macdonald

The Man

The Politician

Bellevue House

Bellevue House © Parks Canada

The Architecture of Bellevue House

Bellevue House Gardens