August 2011
We got to Parliament Hill early and got a good spot to watch the ceremonial changing of the guards. We then stayed on Parliament Hill for most of the day as we took tours of the East Block and the Center Block and went up Peace Tower. After walking to the Supreme Court and the Garden of the Provinces, we spent our evening across the river in Gatineau, Quebec and the Museum of Canadian Civilization. That was an especially interesting place. I learned a lot about Canada that I didn't know and even learned a few things about American history that isn't usually mentioned in our textbooks
Confederation Building on Parliament Hill
Confederation Building on Parliament Hill
Confederation Building on Parliament Hill
West Block of Parliament
Centennial Flame
Center Block of Parliament
East Block of Parliament
Waiting for the ceremonial changing of the guards to begin
Waiting for the ceremonial changing of the guards to begin
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
One of the guards didn't make it through the ceremony
One of the guards didn't make it through the ceremony
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
The ceremonial changing of the guards at Parliament
Restored Governor General's office in the East Block of Parliament
John McDonald's (first prime minister of Canada) restored office in the East Block of Parliament
Restored Privy Council Chamber in the East Block of Parliament
Cornerstone of the Center Block of Parliament
The entrance to the House of Commons chamber
House of Commons chamber
House of Commons chamber
The House of Commons speaker's chair actually rises up and down to accomodate short and tall speakers
This plaque commemorates the founding of the Dominion of Canada
The foyer of the Senate chamber
Senate chamber
The thrones in the Senate chamber are for the Queen and her consort
The Senate chamber features artwork representing the prvinces
Senate chamber
Salon de la Francophonie is a meeting room dedicated to the French speaking Canadians.
Salon de la Francophonie is a meeting room dedicated to the French speaking Canadians.
West Block of Parliament as seen from the Peace Tower
Looking out over Ottawa from the Peace Tower
The grounds of Parliament as seen from the Peace Tower
United States Embassy as seen from the Peace Tower
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica as seen from the Peace Tower
The Library of Parliament as seen from the Peace Tower
Looking across the Ottawa River to Gatineau, Quebec from the Peace Tower
Looking down the Ottawa River from the Peace Tower. The Supreme court is on the left bank and the Portage building is on the right bank in gatineau.
Entrance to the Peace Tower
Center Block of Parliament
Museum of Canadian Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec
I have no explanation whatsoever for this giant plume of water in Gatineau
The Library of Parliament is the only part that survived the fire. It is also the most ornate.
Museum of Modern Art
The Interprovincial Bridge connects Ottawa, Ontario to Gatineau, Quebec
The Victoria Bell survived the fire that burned almost all of Parliament in 1916.
The Library of Parliament is the only part that survived the fire. It is also the most ornate.
We took a tour of the Ottawa River aboard the Paula D
Looking down the Ottawa River and the many bridges that span it
Mountie on the grounds of Parliament
Mountie on the grounds of Parliament
A Mountie checks on her horse
Peace Tower rises from the Center Block of Parliament
Mounties in their more common day to day uniforms
East Block of Parliament
West Block of Parliament
Center Block of Parliament
Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court building is quite imposing
This fountain can be found in the Garden of the Provinces
The Garden of the Provinces is lined with flowers
The Garden of the Provinces with Christ Church Cathedral in the background
The First Nations Hall at the Museum of Canadian Civilization
This toem pole is in the First Nations Hall at the Museum of Canadian Civilization
The First Nations Hall at the Museum of Canadian Civilization
One of the most important uniforms in Canada... Montreal Candiens hockey uniform
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Uniform at the Museum of Canadian Civilization
The First Nations Hall at the Museum of Canadian Civilization
Canadian mail truck in the Postal Museum within the Museum of Canadian Civilization
The Postal Museum at the Museum of Canadian Civilization
Even the US Postal Service is represented at the Postal Museum at the Museum of Canadian Civilization
The Postal Museum at the Museum of Canadian Civilization
This mural is made entirely of stamps
Canada Hall at Museum of Canadian Civilization recreates street scenes
This display represents the food packages that were given to British Loyalists after the American Revolution
Canada Hall at Museum of Canadian Civilization recreates street scenes
Canada Hall at Museum of Canadian Civilization recreates street scenes
White Lunch Cafe booth at the Museum of Canadian Civilization