Rideau Hall And Its Autumn Colours

More from Rideau Hall today. This room is in the heart of the manor- the large space actually comprises the original building that was radically altered and expanded on in the decades after the government acquired it. Thomas McKay and his family had lived within these walls; one would wonder what he'd have thought about how much it's changed.

This tree was set up in the room- and decorated for Thanksgiving.

Something else that's in the room is a wooden model of Rideau Hall. Each piece can be removed in turn so that the tour guide can show just how much was added on. To give you an idea of where we are- the original manor is a rectangular low section on the left, tucked behind the grand entry hall and its two adjoining large halls. The long portion and adjoining sections to its right are all private space: guest rooms, working spaces, and the living quarters of the Governor General. So the original manor has been dwarfed over time. These days the building has over 175 rooms and 9500 square metres (102 000 square feet) of space. Numerous other buildings are on the grounds as well.

Here we have the Ballroom. It is a large space, held for official receptions, the swearing in of a new cabinet, receiving ambassadors, and other occasions. A portrait of Queen Elizabeth hangs on the far wall.

On the near wall is a set of paintings by First Nations artists. They include this one by Alex Janvier, whose retrospective exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada I showed you in a couple of series some months back; click here and here for the first posts in those series. For those readers in the greater Toronto area, a smaller version of that exhibition is currently underway at the McMichael Gallery up in Kleinburg into early January. You should go see it.

This stained glass window can be found in this room as well.

Departing out the main entrance, I paused to photograph the fountain, which has been changed significantly from what it was before.

I then headed for the main gate, pausing to photograph fall colours as I went, checking on names of those who'd planted the trees. 

This inukshuk is along the driveway.

One more glance at the grounds, but of course we'll be back here again at some point. If you're ever in the area, you should come and see this place. I will have more fall colours to come, as I've been taking more shots since this day, but it'll be in the latter part of November, after a series on Remembrance Day.