Welcome!
A quick note before we begin. This is a Virtual cache with several questions to answer. Correct answers are required before you are free to submit a found log. Unlike a school assignment, you don't fail the test if questions are incorrect. You will be allowed to make corrections until your test mark is 100% and you've earned your smiley. That's better than school! Don't worry, they are quite easy... when you read the questions correctly. Enjoy your visit!
September 2023 notes:
The Legistlature used to be one of the most open Government buildings in Canada. Due to security reasons, there are now only guided tours of the inside of the Legislature. I am temporarily changing the tasks to reflect this. I will do a more permanent change in the near future that will be less time restrictive and allow for an outside completion. (Although far less rewarding, if you can't tour the inside of this beautiful building.)
Task 1 must be started from ground zero, the lower garden, and you'll add both stair cases.
Task 3... read the question carefully! (If the guided tour does not take you to this location, it can be omitted, just let me know in the answers.)
Aside from the photo task, one of the tasks is the anti-armchair logging question. This one must be correct to qualify for the smiley.
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Visitor Information
https://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/visiting/tour.html
September to June, Fridays at 2pm
July and August, Monday to Sunday 9am to 4pm hourly.
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Welcome to the Manitoba Legislative Building, the meeting place of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. This neoclassical building was completed in 1920 and stands seventy-seven meters (253ft) tall. It was designed and built by Frank Worthington Simon and Henry Boddington III, along with other masons and skilled craftsmen. The building is famous for the Golden Boy, a gold covered bronze statue based on the style of the Roman god Mercury or the Greek god Hermes, which was placed atop the cupola.
Hidden in plain view.
This building is known to be one of the finest public buildings in North America. Symbolism and tributes are abundantly embedded in every detail of the architecture. Magical numbers, a Masonic temple floor, sacred geometry and ancient symbols are all signature components that Freemasons build into their designs. Just like Geocachers who hide containers in plain sight, Masons have a famous maxim “Hidden in plain view.” Indeed, when you really look, every detail of this incredible building is a thought-out symbol representing something from our history. Simon and Boddington borrowed ideas from many impressive works in history and carved them into the Legislature. For more on the background of the hidden secrets of this building, search for a book called The Hermetic Code by Carolin Vesely and Buzz Currie. Local tour companies also offer Hermetic Code Tours of the Legislative Building.
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The Ark of the Covenant |
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The Virtual
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When thinking about what I wanted out of a virtual, I wanted to create a virtual that brought you, the Geocacher, to one of the most unique places in Manitoba. There are many, to be sure, but I wanted to provide an opportunity for you to slow down and appreciate a building that those of us who live here often take for granted. There are 4 tasks to do, 1 outside and 3 inside. I have also made sure that the tasks are wheelchair friendly, so no, you will not be climbing all the way to the top to get a selfie with The Golden Boy. It just may require a bit of extra travel to get around the stairs to access the ramps.
Note: Armchair logs from cachers who don’t visit in person will be deleted.
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Availability
This cache is not available 24/7, but only during the hours that the building is open.
Hours: daily 8:00am to 8:00pm (every day of the year.)
Cost: FREE!
Sign in: You must present valid photo identification to sign in and receive a visitor’s badge. The halls are free to explore and none of the elements of this virtual are behind any locked space.
When you enter, you can pick up a self-guided tour booklet from the stand next to the gift shop. That same booklet can be found here: https://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/visiting/docs/indoorselfguidedtour.pdf
Task 1: The Stairs
1a) Use of a GPS must be a part of any Geocache, so use your GPS or cellular device and head to the posted coordinates. This will bring you to the steps leading from the garden behind Queen Victoria's statue. As you walk up to the main doors, count the steps, how many?
That was easy. You probably even did that using Google Street View.
1b) After obtaining your visitor’s badge, you will enter into the Temple of Solomon at the base of the Grand Staircase. There are 3 groups of how many stairs leading up to the top of the Grand Staircase?
Task 2: The Pool of the Black Star
Once you have ascended the stairs, go straight and through the arch to find yourself in the Rotunda. This antechamber provides a formal approach to the Legislative Assembly, the seat of the Government of Manitoba. Look up, way up! This magnificently decorated dome represents the second level in a five-stage progression to the top of the tower, where the Golden Boy stands, facing North. In the center of the Rotunda is an Italian marble balustrade, measuring 13 feet in diameter. Look down to see The Pool of the Black Star. After admiring the architecture of the Rotunda, make your way down to this room.
This part of your visit is best enjoyed with a friend. First off, stand in the middle of the star and listen. Sound from all over the building is focused to the spot you are standing on. Now go ahead and say something, anything, while facing one of the curved walls. Listen, as your voice is transformed into a perfect harmonic 5th. Now whisper. Even the slightest sound is amplified back to you, but in that harmonic 5th. Have your partner stand on the stairs outside the pool and whisper to them. They will have a hard time hearing you, even though your own voice is amplified. When they whisper back to you, you will have a hard time hearing them. Experiment with different ways you can play with the harmonics in the room.
Unfortunately, if you are in a wheelchair, accessing the center of the star may not be available to you without help. However, this will not prevent you from completing the task.
2) How many columns surround the Pool of the Black Star?
Task 3: The Manitoba Speaker’s Gallery
(If the guided tour does not take you to this location, it can be omitted, just let me know in the answers.)
Now explore the halls of the building and find your way to the Manitoba Speaker’s Gallery. Along this hall, you will find paintings of all the past Speakers of the House. The Speaker’s job is to preside over events in the Legislative Assembly, acting as a kind of referee to ensure that everyone obeys the rules.
Your task here is to find the painting of the person who was Speaker when the Manitoba Legislature Building opened. (in 1920.)
3a) What was their name?
3b) How many buttons are visible on their waistcoat? (The waistcoat is under their suit jacket which is under his robes.)
Task 4: A Grand Photograph
Your final task is to take a photo of yourself on the Grand Staircase. Camera shy people do not need to reveal your face, but you may use a photo double.
Bonus Task
If, in your wanderings through the halls of the Legislature, you come across the current Premiere or Speaker of the House, ask to get a photo taken with them!
Thank you
Thank you for visiting this Virtual cache. I hope you took the time to walk the halls and appreciate the incredible art and architecture of this fine building.
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Task summary
1a) How many stairs at the main entrance
1b) How many steps in each group of the grand Staircase?
2) How many columns surround the Pool of the Black Star?
3a) What is the name of the person who was Speaker of the House when the Manitoba Legislature Building opened?
3b) Find his painting in the Manitoba Speaker’s Gallery and tell me how many buttons are visible on their waistcoat. (The waistcoat is under their suit jacket which is under his robes.)
4) A Grand Photograph
Bonus: A photo with yourself and the Premiere and/or Speaker of the House
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Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.