2016 Laurier House National Historic Site Announcement

Grand total investment*: $542K

Laurier House National Historic Site        

When Laurier became Canada's prime minister in 1896, he needed to find a home in Ottawa as the Government of Canada did not provide a residence for the prime minister. As Laurier was not a wealthy man, purchasing a home appropriate to his office as prime minister and large enough for the entertaining that the leader of the country was expected to do presented a major challenge. The solution was found by a group of friends who raised the money to buy a house in Sandy Hill. Sir Wilfrid and Lady Laurier moved into their new home in the fall of 1897. They remained there through the years when Laurier was prime minister and afterwards as Leader of the Opposition.

In 1921, William Lyon Mackenzie King became the owner of the Sandy Hill house where the Lauriers had lived for so long. The house came to him as a bequest from Lady Laurier's will. King had, for many years, been a friend and staunch supporter of Laurier and the gift of their house may have been an expression of thanks to her husband's successor. King demonstrated his gratitude by giving the house the name by which it continues to be known: Laurier House. Also in 1921, King became Canada’s 10th Prime Minister, so Laurier House once again became the official residence of Canada’s leader.

After his death in 1950, by the terms of King's will, Laurier House and most of its contents were bequeathed to the people of Canada. It has been open to the public since 1951.

Project name: Laurier House National Historic Site - Exterior Repairs

Estimated total: $542K

Project description: This project will provide for repointing of deteriorated mortar joints in the exterior brick of the house. Additionally, work will be done to either repair or replace woodwork in the windows, trim and verandah, and repairs will be made to the roof.

* Please note that the sum of individual project values may not equal the grand total indicated at the top of this document due to standard rounding errors.