Rideau Hall

Rideau Hall is the official residence of the Queen of Canada ( ie the monarch ) and the Governor General of Canada as the alternates in the country.

The site is located on Sussex Drive (number 1) in Ottawa and includes 32 acres of land. It was built in 1838 by the Scottish architect Thomas MacKay and inhabited until 1855 by himself and his family.

When Queen Victoria Ottawa in 1866 appointed as the new capital of Canada, the house became the residence of the first Governor-General, Charles Stanley Monck. It has since been extended several times, 1872 to a tennis court, a skating and a toboggan run.

At the main entrance, which was completed in 1913, all arms of the governors of Canada are represented, beginning with Samuel de Champlain, the first governor of New France. In the Tent Room hung with portraits of British governors-general, in the Reception Room the portraits of the Canadian-born governor-generals, starting with Vincent Massey. The Drawing Room you can see the portraits of the wives of the governors general. Vocations to the Order of Canada are normally held in the Ballroom, sometimes in the Reception Room. The prime minister and cabinet members make their oaths of office also in the Ballroom. Even diplomatic receptions are held here.

While many rooms are decorated in Victorian or Oriental style, the Canadian Room is devoted to Canadian art and culture. In a greenhouse, a flower garden in which are to be found also many Canadian symbols, such as a totem pole from British Columbia, Flowers for the Rideau Hall and other government buildings are bred in Ottawa.

Since 1977 have Rideau Hall and the surrounding grounds the status of a National Historic Site.