Earnscliffe
Text from the plaque
This was the home of the Right Honourable Sir John A. Macdonald, P.C., G.C.B., M.P., Chief Architect of Confederation. Sir John was the first Prime Minister of the Dominion of Canada and headed the government from 1867 to 1873 and from 1878 to 1891. This house was built in 1855-57 by John MacKinnon and rented by Sir John in 1870-71 and in 1882. He bought it in 1883 and lived here until his death on June 6, 1891.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The City of Ottawa
At 140 Sussex Drive, just east of the Macdonald Cartier Bridge
N 45 26.251 W 75 41.936
Recorded October 2009. Check current access before visiting.
More information
Visitors' notes
January 17, 2015
This week marks the bicentennial of John Macdonald's birth, commemorated with a postage stamp and coin, both issued in his hometown of Kingston on his birthday, January 11, 2015. The city continues celebrating, this year, including at Bellevue House National Historic Site, Macdonald's home in 1848-49. Few figures in history attain the larger-than-life stature which is his; a mind which filled a nascent nation with dreams of the continental empire it would become. -Wayne
January 8, 2010
This plaque is a welcome addition to the website. Being attached to the residence of an ambassador, it's behind a security gate, and not open to the public. Years ago, I requested access, impromptu, and was met with an apologetic ambassadorial spouse who was just about to run an errand in her Land Rover and couldn't let me in. I wasn't in town long enough for another attempt. So congratulations Colin, and thanks. I'd love to see it for myself one day. -Wayne