WELCOME TO THE MACDONALD FESTIVAL!

In celebration of Canada’s First Prime Minister, the Macdonald Festival offers many fun opportunities to experience history. Learn about the “Father of Confederation” through the entertaining theatrical production of the comedy: “Sir John, Eh? The Musical.” Walk in Sir John’s footsteps, visit his home, take in the art of his era and more! Visit our Schedule page for Festival details.

DID YOU KNOW…

• When Canada was formed in 1867, John A. Macdonald was chosen to be the nation's first Prime Minister, at which time he was also knighted for his efforts to unite the country and was hence known as Sir John A. Macdonald
• Most of the Confederation documents are in Sir John A.’s own handwriting
• British Columbia joined Confederation with Sir John A.’s promise to ensure the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway to connect the country from coast-to-coast; the project was completed in five years instead of the ten predicted
• Macdonald had many personal troubles:  witnessed, as a child, the murder of his younger brother; long illness and death of first wife; death of infant son; weak relationship with second son who was raised by Macdonald’s sister; daughter with second wife was born with brain damage that resulted in physical and mental disabilities—despite the difficulties this entailed during that era, Mary brought brightness to Sir John’s life and the two were quite close; infamous for his drinking
• Sir John A. began his political career in 1843 as a Councilman in Kingston, ON; in 1844 he became an elected Federal representative
• Macdonald was the Prime Minister of Canada from 1867 to his death in 1891 except for a five year period from 1873-1878
• When Macdonald lost his Kingston riding in 1878, he ran and was elected as MP for Victoria, BC and once again served as Prime Minister (despite not setting foot in Victoria until the summer of 1886, while he was still PM, but no longer a representative of the riding)
• In 1891, Sir John A. was the first Prime Minister to die while in Office (to date, there has only been one other)