A reminder to members of City Daily Photo: the theme for November 1st is Soft.
This was the mayor's chair, around the time when Bytown became Ottawa. Now it resides here.
Ottawa as capital of the Canadas, as Ontario and Quebec were known at the time, was a compromise choice by Queen Victoria.
Here is a small statue of Victoria.
Once it was chosen, the Parliament Buildings began to be built. The original Centre Block looks different from its contemporary replacement, due to the destructive fire of 1916.
Wilfred Laurier, the first Francophone Prime Minister of the country following Confederation, took measures to improve the capital.
Russell House was a hotel of the 19th century downtown; these are some of the establishment's table settings. The hotel would end up eclipsed by the Chateau Laurier and later destroyed in a fire.
The governors-general have had their own impact on the city, residing at Rideau Hall, representing the Crown.
This elegant dressed belonged to Lady Minto, wife of Lord Minto, one of our governors-general.
A cabinet features table settings and photographs of governors-general.
A display case is here, along with other items. The portrait is Sarah Olmstead, done in 1862 when she was in her later years. She had married the son of the founder of Hull (today Gatineau), and when widowed married again, this time to a farmhand of her late husband.
The mayor 's chair is a little throne.
ReplyDeleteIt seems all things ancient or old were always destroyed in fire.
ReplyDeleteAnother great exhibit. I like the Victoria statue. Take care, have a great day and happy new week!
ReplyDeleteRather than thinking of Ottawa as the Washington of the north, it would be better to think of Washington as the Ottawa of the south, though not nearly so charming!
ReplyDelete...Ottawa was a good choice.
ReplyDeleteThe chair looks uncomfortable, but the dress is fabulous!
ReplyDeletei enjoy fall on your blog. but then i do recall myself saying i enjoyed the tulip festival?? oh well ...seasons are fun. hope u r well this week. take care. ( ;
ReplyDeleteThere is a large collection in that what looks to be a small museum.
ReplyDeleteThat dress was a beauty!
ReplyDelete@Italiafinlandia: indeed.
ReplyDelete@roentare: that fire was a bad one.
@Eileen: I do too.
@David: well put.
@Tom: it was.
@Sandi: I doubt one would want to sit for long.
@Beth: thank you.
@RedPat: that's true.
@Marie: it is indeed.
What a cute throne! :-)
ReplyDeleteCute isn't quite how I'd describe it!
DeleteA wonderful exhibit. The chair looks very uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't want to sit long.
DeleteAll Canada's major cities have beautiful names. Ottawa is a fitting name, carries a magnificent expanse vibe.
ReplyDeleteIt does suit us.
DeleteI am reminded that I once wrote an essay on Laurier back in uni. I don’t recall anything now except for writing it.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever get a chance, go see Laurier House.
DeleteI love that chair and the dress.
ReplyDeleteThey both stand out.
DeleteGood looking museum pieces. I posted two blog posts, and you commented on both! Thanks. But I've remedied it and moved one to tomorrow. Lost your comment, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteI'll check tomorrow.
DeleteSome beautiful things on show here. The dress truly is very elegant.
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteThe statue of John A has been removed from the street in Charlottetown! He was instrumental in the residential school travesty!
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised.
DeleteLady Minto was a special woman with a beautiful dess.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteThis is such an interesting museum. The mayor's chair is impressive and I love all the personal items.
ReplyDeleteMe too.
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