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