About the Mackenzie King Estate
The Mackenzie King Estate was created by William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada’s 10th and longest serving prime minister. During a career that spanned some fifty years — almost half of that as prime minister — King guided Canada from semi-colonial status to complete autonomy.
For more than four decades, King spent most of his summers at the Estate. He gradually expanded and beautified the grounds until he owned 231 hectares (2.31 km) of land. The Mackenzie King Estate has many heritage and natural features to explore. It is an expression of King’s love of nature, architecture and romanticism.
Kingswood
After falling in love with the wilderness scenery by Kingsmere Lake, King purchased land there in 1903 and built the first of several cottages. The area came to be known as Kingswood. From 1903 to 1928, King spent most summers there, building and landscaping the grounds and enjoying time with family and friends.
There are exhibits to explore at Kingswood’s various cottages. You can also discover the inspiring views along Kingswood’s picturesque trails.
Moorside
In 1928, while in his third term as prime minister, King moved to Moorside. At this large, elegant cottage, King received guests such as Winston Churchill and Charles Lindbergh. King expressed his romanticism at Moorside. He laid out formal flower beds and gathered a collection of picturesque ruins from Canada and abroad. He also traced trails through the forest, which we still enjoy today.
In addition to the beautiful grounds, at Moorside Cottage you will find exhibits on Mackenzie King’s life at the Estate. You’ll also find the Mackenzie King Tearoom.
The Farm
During the last years of his life, King gave free rein to his passion for architecture. He devoted himself to a new project — restoring a 19th-century farmhouse and transforming it into an elegant year-round residence. He settled at The Farm in 1943 and died there in 1950, only two years after he retired from politics.
The Farm is now the official residence of the Speaker of the House of Commons and is not accessible to the public.
A Gift to Canadians
Upon his death, King left the Estate as “…a public park in trust for the people of Canada.” It is around the Estate that his government established Gatineau Park, the Capital’s Conservation Park. Come explore this beautiful legacy!
