At the corner of Laurier Avenue East and Chapel Street stands one of the most historic houses in the country. Laurier House was home to two of Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers: Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and then William Lyon Mackenzie King.
After Laurier’s death, his widow, Lady Laurier, left the house to Mackenzie King. He lived there from 1923 to 1950, and when he died he left it to the nation. Today it’s a National Historic Site run by Parks Canada, and the rooms are kept much as King left them, including his study on the top floor.
The house is open seasonally. In 2026 it opened on May 4, with visits Thursday to Monday until the end of June and every day in July and August, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guided tours run at 10:30, 11:30, 2:00 and 3:00, and you don’t need a reservation. This summer, admission was free under the Canada Strong Pass. The summer season wrapped up in early September, so check Parks Canada for next year’s dates.
Laurier House sits in one of Sandy Hill’s heritage districts, and the streets around it are full of large Victorian and Edwardian homes, embassies and official residences. Even if you don’t go inside, a walk along Laurier Avenue East toward Strathcona Park is one of the nicest in the city.
For anyone thinking about Sandy Hill, it’s a reminder of how long this has been one of Ottawa’s most desirable addresses.
Laurier House is at 335 Laurier Avenue East. Information: 613-992-8142.
Sources: Parks Canada: Laurier House National Historic Site and Hours of operation.
Photo by Suwannee.payne, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.