Parks Canada celebrates successful Canada 150 season at Laurier House National Historic Site

More Canadians than ever before enjoyed amazing experiences at Parks Canada places in 2017

September 14, 2017                         Ottawa, Ontario                         Parks Canada Agency

National parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell stories of who we are, including the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada offered free admission for all visitors to Parks Canada places, to encourage Canadians to experience their rich history and heritage in a special way. Parks Canada is pleased to have welcomed more visitors to our treasured places than ever before, and to have played an important role in the celebration of Canada 150.

Parks Canada is pleased to have welcomed twice as many visitors to Laurier House National Historic Site this season to participate in the nationwide Canada 150 celebration, enabling more Canadians to experience their rich history. Visitors to the historic home of Prime Ministers Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King took part in exciting new events along with old favourites.

The season kicked off early on May 1st with the opening of an authentic Second World War home front kitchen, complete with costumed interpreters who brought visitors back in time by sharing stories and recipes from an era of rationing. In June, the house came to life through a hopping kitchen party complete with a swing band, dancers, and an interactive photo booth. In July, guests took part in A Séance in Time, an evening theatrical challenge. Guests were also treated to Tea on the Veranda presented by the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu^®.  Throughout the season, many visitors participated in behind the scenes White Glove Tours to explore the collection of over 10,000 original artefacts.

If you missed out on the summer excitement at Laurier House, the fun isn’t over yet!  The season is changing and so are Laurier House’s hours. Visitors can still use their Parks Canada Discovery Pass to take full advantage of FREE entry to this hidden gem in the heart of Ottawa as the site will be open Thursdays through Monday until October 9th.  After that, Laurier House will re-open for another engaging season in May 2018.

The Government is committed to preserving our national parks, while making them more accessible so that Canadians, including youth and newcomers, can experience the outdoors and learn about our environment. Parks Canada continues to ensure the best possible visitor experience for people coming to our places, and has effectively managed 2017’s increased visitation.

To help visitors plan their experiences, Parks Canada launched a mobile app earlier this season. The app is incredibly popular and, to date, there have been over 150,000 downloads. The Parks Canada Mobile App is a great planning tool which offers up-to-date information and resources to help visitors plan their visit and discover breathtaking locations, including a list of hidden gems, and other unique and memorable experiences at national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas.