Description of Historic Place

The Kingswood Guest Cottage sits nestled among the trees and close to the main cottage in the Kingswood Cottage complex at the Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park. It is a one-storey, hipped roofed rustic cottage with both open and enclosed verandahs. The building is of wood-frame construction and is clad in horizontal wood siding. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Kingswood Guest Cottage is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
The Kingswood Guest Cottage is associated with Canada’s 10th Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. Purchased by King in 1922, the building provides insight into the personality of a major Canadian political figure. His renovations to the cottage illustrate his interest in the development and design of the estate. The large estate, inclusive of three separate sites, Kingswood, Moorside and The Farm, were regarded by King himself as his true legacy to the Canadian people.

Architectural Value
The Kingswood Guest Cottage is valued for its good aesthetic and functional design. It is an example of typical summer residences of the early 20th century, characterized by their rustic simplicity. The cottage was renovated and enlarged with the addition of a new wing and front verandah.

Environmental Value
The Kingswood Guest Cottage reinforces the picturesque character of its country estate setting in Gatineau Park and is a familiar building within the immediate area.

Sources: Marc de Caraffe, La domaine Mackenzie King, Kingsmere, Parc de la Gatineau, Quebec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 84-015; Mackenzie King Estate: Kingswood, Gatineau Park, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 84-015.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Kingswood Guest Cottage should be respected.

Its good aesthetic and functional design, and good craftsmanship and materials, as for example:
- the one-storey massing with a hipped roof and chimney;
- the wood construction clad in horizontal wood siding;
- the open and enclosed verandahs;
- the window treatment and arrangement;
- the interior layout.

The manner in which the Kingswood Guest Cottage reinforces the present picturesque character of its country estate setting and is familiar in the area, as evidenced by:
- its overall scale, design and materials, which harmonize with its landscaped and natural surroundings and which complement the adjacent buildings at the estate;
- its familiarity in the immediate area due to its associations with a former Prime Minister of Canada;
- its visibility to visitors due to its location in Gatineau Park at Mackenzie King Estate.