May 12, 2011
OTTAWA—Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston invite the public to discover Rideau Hall, the governor general’s official residence, in Ottawa.
“It is a great pleasure for Sharon and me to open the doors of Rideau Hall to all Canadians and to visitors from abroad,” said the Governor General. “We invite you to come and explore the majestic beauty that is Rideau Hall, where Canada comes together. Let our knowledgeable guides take you on a tour of the residence, and take in the beautiful splendour of the grounds.”
About Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall has been the official residence and workplace of every governor general since 1867. This heritage site is a national gathering place, where the governor general honours Canadians and celebrates excellence, hosts foreign dignitaries, and exercises various duties as the representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Canada’s head of State. Rideau Hall is open to the public year-round and is bursting with activities.
Be part of this unique experience and join thousands of visitors that come every year!
VISITOR CENTRE
Stop by the Visitor Centre, where you will learn about the role and responsibilities of the governor general, as well as the history of Rideau Hall, through an interactive exhibit, or browse through the gift shop for Canadian souvenirs.
The Visitor Centre and Gift Shop are open daily as of May 7 until September 5, from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
VISIT THE GROUNDS
Stroll through the grounds of Rideau Hall at your leisure and explore the paths along the flowerbeds and gardens of this green oasis in the city. You can also come for a picnic and enjoy the play structure with your children.
The grounds of Rideau Hall are open year-round from 8 a.m. until one hour before sunset.
CEREMONIAL GUARDS
Witness the pageantry, precision and colour of the Ceremonial Guard at Rideau Hall. In this much-loved ceremony, watch sentries, led by a piper, march to their posts at Sussex Gate and in front of the residence.
The Relief of the Sentries runs from June 27 to August 26, every hour, on the hour, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
In the summer, families are welcome to stop by the Visitor Centre and sign up for kids’ activities. Come bring a picnic while your children enjoy the play structure nearby.
All family activities are offered daily at the Visitor Centre, from June 27 to September 5.
Follow the Tell-a-Tale Trail
This treasure hunt is designed to challenge young and old alike with a quest to find secret words along the trail. Fun and educational for the whole family! Ask for your brochure upon arrival.
Heraldry and National Symbols
Discover Canadian heraldic art from yesterday and today. Imagine yourself in medieval times and create your own coats of arms with symbols from your family heritage or from your hometown.
VISIT THE RESIDENCE AND SPECIAL EXHIBIT
Follow the tours of the ceremonial rooms, where Canadians are honoured and dignitaries are welcomed. Guided tours are free of charge and are also offered on statutory holidays.
SPRING (April 30 to June 26): Weekends, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Weekdays, reservations required
SUMMER (June 27 to September 5)*: Daily, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* In July and August, come in the morning and visit the residence at your own pace. This open‑house format is ideal for groups or families with young children.
Don’t miss our current exhibition entitled National Capital Commission Official Residences Crown Collection. The exhibition highlights the history, the function and the significance of the Crown Collection and it features more than twenty works of art, furniture pieces and decorative objects that show the diversity and quality this fine collection has to offer. A card table designed by Thomas Nisbet, a landscape painted by Emily Carr and a chest of drawers that belong to Prime Minister Mackenzie King are only a few examples of what you will discover here. This temporary exhibition is a joint initiative between the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General and the National Capital Commission (NCC). It is on display until October 2011. For additional information about the Crown Collection, please visit http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=94&lan=eng.
HOW TO GET TO RIDEAU HALL
Rideau Hall is located at 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A1, a walking distance from Parliament Hill (3.5 kilometres).
For more information about our summer activities or our guided tours, please call 613‑991‑4422 or 1-866-842-4422 (toll-free) or write to us at guide@gg.ca. Also, visit our Web site at www.gg.ca, under the section “The Residences”.
Please note that Rideau Hall is a working residence; scheduling for all activities is subject to change without notice due to official events.
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Media information:
Christelle Legault
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
christelle.legault@gg.ca
www.gg.ca
