Stately Laurier House a Sandy Hill landmark

By Louise Rachlis
Sandy Hill is the oldest suburb in Ottawa, and Laurier House at 335 Laurier Ave. East at Chapel Street is a glimpse into the life of the times as well as political history.
Among the artifacts in the residence of prime ministers Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Rt. Hon. William Mackenzie King is a speeding ticket given to Lady Laurier for going over 10 miles an hour on Bank Street in 1910.
Laurier himself used to take the streetcar to work from his home, given to him by friends and supporters in 1896 because there was no official prime minister’s residence. The first French-Canadian prime minister, he lived there with his wife Zoe until 1919.
Lady Laurier willed the 10,000 sq. ft. house to Mackenzie King, who in turn willed it to the nation in 1950. It was the charismatic Laurier who encouraged King, who was good at policy, to go into politics.
King stipulated in his will that some of the 26 rooms had to stay the same. “It’s 98 per cent intact,” says Louise Hamelin, heritage coordinator of Laurier House. “We’re fortunate to have this. Not many places in Canada have the original artifacts. It’s a level one cultural resource because it’s directly related to the prime ministers.”
King’s study is all original, including his 3,000 books. He liked to take his meals in the breakfast room, listening to the radio.
Even the house is important on its own, “because it’s the original Second Empire Style, originally from France. It’s a good urban style.”
There’s an Otis elevator in working order that has been used by all kinds of famous guests such as President Roosevelt, Shirley Temple and Queen Elizabeth.
Sometimes people come in and just want to look around, she says, “but they ask so many questions they end up getting a tour anyway.”
Visitors – about 7,000 a year - first see a 10 minute video and then explore the home. A new visitor centre under construction next door will open next year.
Tea at the National Historic Site is served on the veranda every Saturday and Sunday afternoon until August 28th between noon and 4 p.m.
“The tea is popular with people in the neighbourhood who have guests from out of town,” says Ms. Hamelin, who has been working at Laurier House since 2000. “They enjoy tea with them, and don’t take the tour because they’ve done it already.”
Visitors like to buy souvenirs such as books, teacups, and stuffed dogs representing King’s pets.
Laurier House is administered by Parks Canada, the agency of the federal government responsible for protecting and presenting significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage.

Another way to enjoy a glimpse into the lives of Laurier and King is with an evening candlelit tour. The “Evening Butler Tour” by Edward the Butler is given July 29th and August 26th at 7 p.m. Reservations required.
There are family activities and guided tours, and free admission, on Parks Day July 16th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday afternoons in July and August at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. there is Sunday Theatre as Prime Ministers Laurier and King relive their pasts. Tea on the veranda is included.
Other activities requiring reservations are:
- Murder Mystery, July 21 and August 18 at 7 p.m.: “The year is 1939. Prime Minister King has invited you to his private residence for a relaxing evening accompanied with wine and cheese. But the party is interrupted by a murder…and you are a suspect.”
- Fine Art Friday, August 12 at 1 p.m.
Take a detailed look at King’s rare and unique fine art collection, including gifts from world leaders. Followed by tea on the veranda.
“King liked historic objects,” says Ms. Hamelin, who holds a degree in Fine Art from Queen’s and has been researching King’s art collection, especially Italian Renaissance. Venice was King’s favourite city, and he had many Venetian scenes like “The Doges Palace.”
“His family friend was J.W.L. Forester who did a lot of commissions for him.” She also likes King’s “Adoration of the Magi” by Flemish artist Rogier van der Weyden, and his Homer Watson paintings.
Among the variety of large and small pieces in the house are the travel trunks Laurier used when travelling by boat to Europe, a little box where Mackenzie King saved his mother’s wedding ring and a lock of her hair, Laurier’s death mask, hat pins, shoe horns, pocket watches, and Lady Laurier’s player piano which is over 100 years old.
There are two pink chairs, a gift from the Palace at Versailles from a French dignitary, in the elegant room where politicians would sit and have a conversation.
King’s bed was a gift from the Ritz Hotel in England.
There is also an area upstairs devoted to former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, who didn’t live or work in the house, but the collection was donated after his death.
Laurier Park across the street and Strathcona Park nearby are handy to take the kids afterward.
Laurier House is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Thanksgiving. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more and for special programs such as tea or theatre.
The classic afternoon tea is served with a scone, cream and jam and also includes a tour. Reservations are required. Admission is $9.80 for adults, $8.40 for seniors, $4.90 youth and $6.00 without a tour.
View www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/on/laurier/index.aspx
Call 613-992-8142 or e-mail Laurier-House@pc.gc.ca.