Thursday Nights are uncensored at Bellevue House National Historic Site

Whisky Tastings and ‘Alternative Facts’ offered all summer

June 22, 2017                                  Kingston, ON                             Parks Canada Agency

Nothing is off-limits this summer as adults-only, Thursday nights start June 29th at Bellevue House National Historic Site! For the first time, the historic villa will open exclusively to of-age visitors, and participant discretion is advised. Whether you choose to grab a glass of whisky and an amuse bouche, or mull over risqué ‘alternative facts’, you’ll discover the stories of Sir John A. Macdonald that aren’t shared in polite company.

Start the Canada 150 weekend early with whisky sommelier, Sylvain Bouffard of "Just a Wee Dram", as he inspires your senses with whisky tasting and food pairings. This spirited journey from grain, to cask, to glass, will also leak how whisky is connected to the building of the modern Canada we are celebrating today.

The site’s ‘Alternative Facts’ tours offer much more than what you learned in high school history. These highly interactive, subversive, fun, and non-traditional museum nights are designed with mature audiences in mind, as they probe lesser known and more intriguing aspects of Sir John A. Macdonald’s life and legacy. These tours are an opportunity to bring Canadians together to create new connections by fostering discussions on history, culture, and reality. By encouraging Canadians to visit their national parks and historical places, and providing them with the information and means to enjoy them, Parks Canada allows more Canadians to learn about our heritage in new and interesting ways.

Occurring on four different nights with four different themes, the ‘Alternative Facts’ tours start with Macdonald, Brides and Dives. During this tour, participants will probe the lesser known aspects of Sir John A. Macdonald’s life, including some topics deemed controversial. Together Forever - The Confederation Story takes you back 150 years. Not everyone was on board with the idea of a country called Canada. How did Confederation really come to be? Macdonald and the Wild West explores shootouts, bribery, and maybe even murder! Life really is stranger than fiction, join the tour and get the Riel facts about Macdonald’s role in rebellion, expulsion, and migration. Bring summer to a close by going Off the Rails as Macdonald’s last spike bent the rules. Trains, migration, and scandal cost Macdonald his job, but made his friends rich!

Alt-facts tours and whisky tastings occur on alternating Thursdays and are a part of the new Many Voices of Confederation program being offered at Bellevue House for Canada 150 to inspire visitors to share a full and open dialogue about Sir John A. Macdonald and Confederation.

Whisky nights are June 29th July 13th, August 3rd and August 17th. The historic setting is intimate and exclusive. Don’t be disappointed and reserve your spot early – last chance is 24 hours in advance. Book today: 613-545-8666, $59.95 + tax, per whisky experience.

The Alternative Facts: Not Your High School History Lesson tours are July 6th, July 20th, August 10^th, and August 24th. These unconventional programs contain mature subject matter, must be booked in advance, and cost $14.70 per person.

Parks Canada is encouraging visitors to plan their trips and discover new and exciting destinations in 2017 by consulting Parks Canada’s website, or downloading the NEW Parks Canada Mobile App, for a list of hidden gems and other unique and memorable ways to celebrate Canada 150. For more information and a full schedule of Bellevue House events, programs, and admission, visit www.pc.gc.ca/bellevue.