Laurier House in full swing for Canada 150

New war time kitchen opens on June 10th

Get ready to dance to a swing band, taste wartime rations, and play dress up as Laurier House National Historic Site offers fun for the whole family on June 10th. The historic home of two prime ministers will launch a new war time kitchen exhibit with kitchen party. Discover one of Canada’s hidden gems in the heart of the nation’s capital!

As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, Parks Canada is offering free admission to visit Laurier House and other national historic sites and national parks across the country. Laurier House National Historic Site is Ottawa’s best kept secret and contains over 10,000 original objects, paintings, and furnishings that belonged to two of Canada’s most important prime ministers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King.

The kitchen is the heart of any household and on June 10th costumed guides will host a kitchen party featuring a swing band on the veranda, war time food, and children’s games. A new Second World War kitchen exhibit will be unveiled depicting the everyday Canadian home during the war. Experience the importance of rationing, recycling, and volunteering during the war by taking a peek into the fridge and cupboards of the restored kitchen. The site will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Activities will be offered throughout the day, including demonstrations by the Ottawa Swing Society, an interactive photo booth with 1940s clothing and war time games provided by the Canadian War Museum. Children can learn about the house through a Parks Canada’s Xplorers activity where they complete a series of challenges throughout their visit to earn a reward.

The Canada 150 excitement will continue throughout the summer. On Saturdays in July and August, afternoon teas will return to the historic mansion in partnership with the world-renowned Cordon Bleu. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy tea and pastries on the veranda just as Laurier and Mackenzie King would have. Reservations for this charming experience can be made by phone at 613-236-2433.

Interactive clue-based theatre will also be returning to Laurier House on select evenings. A Séance in Time will be presented by Live History from July 19th to July 27th. Guests are invited to join Prime Minister Mackenzie King as he and his household prepare to contact the spirit world. King seeks advice, guidance, and solace as the Second World War begins and the time to build the nation is upon him. But King’s famous crystal ball has gone missing and guests must help find it before it is too late. Reservations for evening theatre can be made by contacting Laurier House at 613-992-8142.

Swing into Laurier House on June 10^th for a kitchen party that will get you into the Canada 150 groove that will then continue all summer long. Discover one of Canada’s most authentic museums and relive the untold stories about the lives and accomplishments of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King. To ensure the best experience possible, visitors are encouraged to plan their visit ahead of time through the Parks Canada website. Contact Laurier-House@pc.gc.ca or call 613-992-8142 for more information.

The FREE Parks Canada 2017 Discovery Pass is available from the Parks Canada website as well as at Parks Canada entry gates and visitor centres. Partners such as Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) and CIBC will also be distributing passes for Parks Canada.

Please note that only admission is free for 2017. There are fees for enhanced interpretative programs and recreational services and products such as camping and firewood, fishing permits, and overnight backcountry use.