Thursday, November 3, 2016

Gardens, A Grand Piano, And A Model

Leaving the room where I left off in yesterday's post, the tour took us into a spacious sitting area which is off the Tent Room, giving a view of the grounds that is beyond public access. This garden area is part of the private area of the property. 


The doors to the right in this area can be opened during receptions so that people in the Tent Room can come in to sit down. At the far end is a grand piano, a gift from the estate of the great Canadian classical pianist Glenn Gould.


The next room takes us right into the space that still marks the original heart of the manor. When Thomas McKay first settled here with his sizable family, they built the original manor. This large space represents the size of that building (with modifications and opening up of the space), which was large in its time, but also home to around a dozen and a half people for years. It is dwarfed today by the many additions that have been added on. The large room contains art, as well as a model of Rideau Hall at its center, which can actually be dismantled as a demonstration of how much has been added on in nearly a century and a half since Rideau Hall came to be home to the Governor General.

31 comments:

  1. Very beautiful, elegant and calming...

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  2. Beautiful house surrounded by beautiful garden:)

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  3. This place seems perfect for entertaining. Good flow from inside to out. Maybe they'll let you host an Ottawa Daily Photo event there!

    Janis
    GDP

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  4. The house and garden are beautiful.

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  5. Beautiful photos, William, of a beautiful place. Can't imagine living in such a manor, but I was not to the manor born. :) Wishing you a wonderful day!

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  6. A nice peak inside an interesting building.

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  7. @Linda: it is!

    @Summer: definitely.

    @Vineeta: that it is.

    @Bill: yes it is.

    @WW: I agree.

    @Janis: I suspect I would be far too disreputable!

    @Marleen: that it is.

    @Lowell: thanks!

    @Marianne: a pleasure to show it.

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  8. Beautiful and very elegant. Nice images William!

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  9. my goodness this is beautiful...i love those windows in the 2nd to last!

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  10. Another beautiful room William, lovely gardens also.

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  11. It's rather fascinating how much has been added to the original building. I guess every time there was a special need they added on ...like a comfy sitting room.

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  12. What a beautiful place! I'm enjoying the tour.

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  13. @Bill: thanks!

    @Tanya: it's a beautiful place to visit.

    @Grace: the gardens are very well tended to.

    @Red: yes, there's a lot of space in the Hall, but it all feels as if it's well used.

    @Sharon: it's a pleasure to show the place.

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  14. enjoy the ceiling details & the arch doorway ( ;

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  15. The room with the grand piano is breath taking.

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  16. What a lovely building, William!

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  17. @Jan: I was quite pleased to see it.

    @Beth: it's a beautifully designed manor.

    @Halcyon: that it certainly is.

    @Mari: and yet it feels comfortable.

    @Jennifer: indeed!

    @RedPat: it is a worthy official residence.

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  18. Such an elegant building. They don't make them like that any more.

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  19. It looks fit for a visit from the British Royals.

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  20. This place is extraordinary. Such beautiful decor! I love the gardens too.

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  21. Those ceilings are pretty fabulous. I'm partial to those warm colors. What a beautiful place!

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  22. @Revrunner: that it is.

    @Jenny: they don't!

    @Catalyst: and occasionally they're present.

    @Tex: so do I.

    @Lois: I do as well.

    @Kay: it certainly is.

    @Eve: thanks!

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