Ottawa – Mona Fortier, on behalf of the minister responsible for Parks Canada, Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, commemorated the national historic significance of Rockcliffe Park Historic District at a special plaque unveiling ceremony. National historic designations illustrate the persons, places, and events that have marked history in Canada. Together, they tell the stories of who we are and connect us to our past, enriching our understanding of ourselves, each other, and this country.
Located at the confluence of the Ottawa, Rideau, and Gatineau Rivers, this residential district covers an estimated area of 1.77 km2. Known to the Anishinābeg as Kishkābikā, Rockcliffe Park is part of an important historical area where Indigenous people have lived, gathered, harvested, and traded for millennia. Following European settlement, this neighbourhood district was designed and laid out in 1864 by Thomas Coltrin Keefer, as part of Thomas MacKay’s large estate purchased in the 1830s.
Rockcliffe Park is an excellent example of the picturesque English and American suburban planning traditions of the second half of the 19th century. The varied, high-quality architecture was the work of renowned architects, who promoted the use of a variety of styles such as Tudor, Georgian, and Queen Anne. Amalgamated with the City of Ottawa in 2001, Rockcliffe Park retains a high degree of integrity and many of the key elements associated with its original design.
The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant people, places, and events that shaped this country as one way of helping Canadians connect with their past. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we hope to foster understanding of and reflection on the diverse histories, cultures, legacies, and realities of Canada’s past and present.
The designation process under Parks Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations. To nominate a person, place or historic event in your community, please visit the Parks Canada website for more information:
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/clmhc-hsmbc/ncp-pcn/application.
“This designation of Rockcliffe Park Historic District as a site of national historic significance reminds us that historic neighbourhoods are part of the urban fabric of Canada, including ones that were carefully designed in the 19th century. Historic suburbs such as this, hold a landscape’s memories and continue to reflect the presence of the communities that have shaped them. Recognizing this place as a national historic site honours the efforts communities make to maintain and preserve the places where they live, and ensures that the layers of history, that are a part of every neighbourhood, are not forgotten.” – Steven Guilbeault, Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages
“Rockcliffe Park is a cherished gem in our community, embodying both natural beauty and the rich historical significance of its built heritage. By valuing and preserving these elements, designations like this one enable us to honour the past, celebrate our shared heritage, and reflect a commitment to preserving these special places for all.” – Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester