Sir Allan Napier MacNab was a lawyer when he moved to Hamilton in 1826. During the next decade, he made a fortune in land speculation. In 1835, he spent the outlandish sum of $175,000 to build Dundurn Castle at Burlington Heights. Behind the Italianate façade are 40 rooms covering 18,000 square feet. MacNab was also a member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada for 27 years, the Premier of Canada West (1854 – 1856) and the co-founder of the Great Western Railway in 1853. Are you curious how this rich land baron and political powerhouse lived during the mid-19th century? Period-costumed guides are waiting to give you a tour of this incredible manor house. You will be fascinated by the lavish furnishings enjoyed by the Dundurn family in contrast to the servants’ quarters in the basement. Interestingly, the wife of Prince Charles – Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwell – is a descendant of Sir Allan Napier MacNab. She has been designated as the Royal Patron of the castle.
