In 1870, the first Prime Minister of Canada, Sir John A. Macdonald, authorized the
construction of "Cedarhedge". It was to be the official warden's residence of Kingston Penitentiary.
On August 28 1873, Warden John Creighton and his children became the first family to live in
the house.
Before the residence was built, the Wardens of Kingston Penitentiary
and their families lived in apartments within the walls of
the penitentiary, in what is now "G-block". This wing also housed the
administration offices of the facility. It was the 1920s before the North wing of
Kingston Penitentiary was renovated to contain cell accommodations.
Built entirely by convict labour under the supervision of staff Trade Instructors,
the house took nearly 3 years to build. The cost? Approximately $ 9,000.00 (in 1873
dollars). Designed in the Italianate Vernacular style by Acting Penitentiary
Architect, Henry H. Horsey, it was constructed using a combination of
local Kingston limestone quarried on the penitentiary reserve, with Ohio Sandstone
accents. In the late 19th century, the residence became known as "Cedarhedge"
in reference to the extensive manicured cedar hedges that once lined the driveway.
By all accounts, life at Cedarhedge was a luxurious one. At its peak the
property boasted orchards, greenhouses, a grape-vinery, and a conservatory.
Inmate gardeners tended to the extensive terraced grounds each day, and some
of the resident families are known to have had their own non-inmate servants
within the home. The importance of the house is exemplified by at least two
postcards that were produced for sale to the general public around 1900.
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