Oshawa, Ontario. Once recognized as the “Automotive Capital of Canada,” it is a vibrant city known for its strong presence in education and health sciences, its growing cultural diversity, and its robust entertainment scene. It is also the celebrated home of General Motors Canada which is headquartered here. Founded in 1876 as the McLaughlin Carriage Company, General Motors was once the main economic backbone of the city. Today, the McLaughlin family legacy is firmly entrenched in Oshawa’s collective consciousness, and can be seen all around Oshawa through places like the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Adelaide St. (named for the wife of Robert “Colonel Sam” McLaughlin), and the Colonel R.S. McLaughlin Armoury.
Just outside Oshawa’s downtown core sits Parkwood Estate, the former home of Colonel Sam and his family, and now officially designated a National Historic Site. You can’t miss it. Stately wrought iron gates surround 12 acres of meticulously preserved gardens, in the middle of which sits a 15,000 square foot mansion. The iconic green roof and proud columns can be seen from the street, or from the Lakeridge Health hospital next to it. Parkwood is truly a haven nestled amidst the bustle of modern life.
While yes, it’s nice to be reminded of our shared history, and yes, it’s nice to visit historic places to see how people of the past lived, you may be wondering what Parkwood has to do with current times. No one lives there anymore, after all, and Oshawa has grown and changed so much since the McLaughlins were in residence. Nevertheless, Parkwood remains a core thread in the fabric of the community, and is as vibrant and alive as the city that cherishes it.
Parkwood today: An estate that refuses to stand still
The most obvious way that Parkwood Estate is still very much a part of modern life is cinematic in nature… Parkwood is a famous movie star! Its luxurious rooms, its recognizable façade and its manicured grounds have featured in many popular films and television shows. From Hollywood flicks like Billy Madison, 12 Monkeys and X-Men, to small screen favourites like Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story, The Umbrella Academy, Bomb Girls and The Boys, the camera loves Parkwood.
Equally important to those who live in, work in and visit Oshawa, Parkwood is a living cultural space. The estate hosts events and community gatherings that invite people to create new memories in a historic setting. You can participate in a variety of workshops from chunky blanket knitting to charm bracelet making to lantern and door mat painting. You can attend fun and unique events like Drag Bingo and Cocktails or pet-oriented vendor markets. Wellness, florals, craft brews—there is something for everyone at Parkwood. Click here for a list of Parkwood’s upcoming events.
If you plan ahead, you can book a Parkwood guided tour. Choose from the Auto Baron Experience, the Greenhouse Tour, the Behind the Scenes Movie Tour, the Servants’ Life Experience Tour, and so much more. Or, book a reservation and spend a summer afternoon lunching by the exquisite 200-foot fountain at Parkwood’s Tea House Restaurant, catered by Oshawa’s own Berry Hill Food Co. You are also welcome to walk the grounds anytime. Parkwood’s gardens are open to the public, and are a favourite place for locals to sit and enjoy a small piece of tranquility just outside the busy city centre. No reservations required.
Samantha George is Parkwood’s curator, and she knows all about the importance of Parkwood in today’s modern world. “Parkwood isn’t just relevant because it survives,” she says. “It’s relevant because it continues to shape how Oshawa sees itself, and ultimately how the world sees Oshawa. What makes Parkwood truly relevant today is that it refuses to stand still. It draws thousands of visitors, fuels local tourism, and puts Oshawa on the map as a destination; not just a place people pass through as they drive by on the 401.”
Parkwood then: A monument to a beloved auto baron and philanthropist
As a National Historic Site, Parkwood has a proud history within the community. It was the home of GM Canada founder Robert Samuel McLaughlin and his family from 1917 until 1972. Its 1920s- to 1930s-style interior is a rare surviving example of the type of estate developed in Canada in the inter-war years. What’s even rarer is that Parkwood remains intact—it is a carefully preserved relic of how life was lived in the past. Everything is preserved, from furniture collections to dishes to household receipts… even the pieces of paint that chip off the walls is collected with a view to restoring it with historical accuracy.
The 55-room mansion showcases (among other awe-inspiring features) carved wood and plaster architectural finishes, hidden panels and stairways, a bowling alley, an indoor swimming pool, and a stately cantilever staircase. Because the McLaughlin family was keenly interested in horticulture and landscaping, Parkwood boasts eleven greenhouses in addition to its numerous gardens. Colonel Sam hired only the best talent to create his oasis: Harries and Hall in the 1910s, the husband and wife team Howard and Lorrie Dunington-Grubb in the 1920s, and award winning architect John Lyle in the 1930s.
Colonel Sam, being a prominent philanthropist, was actively engaged in community building throughout his adult life. In addition to the institutions and facilities around Oshawa which bear his name, features of his philanthropy can be seen in Parkwood itself. For example, the family room was constructed in the 1930s during the Great Depression not only because Colonel Sam wished for an interior space where his family could gather, but also to create work for local craftsmen who were finding the times economically difficult. There is a reason the founder of General Motors Canada is not only a legend, but a national treasure, and why his home remains a point of interest for people today.
As Samantha George says, “In a rapidly growing city, Parkwood does something essential: it anchors identity. The museum reminds residents, and demonstrates to newcomers, that Oshawa has depth, legacy, and a story worth telling.”
Discover Parkwood’s story for yourself. Visit Parkwood’s website for events, tours, filming information and more: https://www.parkwoodestate.com/
Parkwood Estate
270 Simcoe St. N.,
Oshawa, ON
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