A Return To Laurier House

I returned to Laurier House one afternoon in October before the place closed up for the winter. A National Historic Site, this was home to two Liberal prime ministers in turn- Wilfred Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King. First built in 1878 with modifications and additions afterwards, it incorporates elements of Italianate and Second Empire architecture. Wilfred and his wife Zoe made it their Ottawa home in 1897; upon his death, she remained here until her death two years later in 1921. She willed it to King, who had become the leader of the Liberal party, and he lived there while in the city, leaving it and his estate in the Gatineau Hills to the people of Canada in his will.

The visitor sees several rooms on three levels, with items belonging to the Lauriers and King to be found throughout. The drawing room was used to entertain guests. The ladder you see here is part of maintenance- the chandeliers through the house get thorough cleanings on a regular schedule, and I just happened to be visiting while that was happening.

Photographs in the room include President Truman on the cabinet, and Queen Elizabeth and King George VI on the table.

This is the formal dining room. 

A section was open here on the first floor that hasn't been opened in the past, leading back to the kitchen, which looks like it would have been in King's time. During the tenure of both Prime Ministers, the house had a staff- cooks and housemaids, who had rooms of their own, often in the north side of the structure. This radio in the hallway caught my eye.

These rationing posters caught my eye. The kitchen had a number of items out on display- wax copies of food, for instance.

Up a flight of stairs we come to one of the guest rooms, filled with furnishings and art. A formal portrait of Laurier is at the left.

This sculpture stands in what is today called the Laurier Library. Laurier used the space for his office, and some of his books are present, while King used it as a guest room. I have more from here tomorrow.