Many thanks to thecockburns for allowing me to adopt this virtual reward. I have wanted to place a virtual geocache here for a while, and I am grateful to now have the opportunity.
Logging requirements
- You will need to take a photo of yourself or a personal identifier – preferably with the main residence as a backdrop (posted coordinates) or at the main pedestrian gate with the Rideau Hall sign as a backdrop (Waypoint 1). Your face does not need to be visible. If you visit with a group, each member must submit a separate photo. Logs without the required photo will be deleted. If you prefer, you can send me your photo directly via message.
- Send me the answer to this question: just inside the gate (WP1), next to the path on the left there’s a brown/brass plaque. What is the subject of the plaque (3 words). Please do not post the answer in your online log.
The Grounds
Rideau Hall (officially “Government House”) is a National Historic site. It has been the official residence and workplace of the Governor General since 1864. The 79-acre grounds are open year-round, and accessible daily from 8:00 a.m. to one hour before sunset. The rolling lawns, winding paths, rose gardens, rockeries, cricket lawns and woods were originally modelled on the style of an English country estate, however landscaping elements such as the totem pole and inuksuk are uniquely Canadian.
The site hosts a range of concerts, ceremonies, celebrations and sporting events, and in the winter, there is a skating rink for public use.
You can follow the paths on the grounds by downloading a self-guided tour brochure, and learn from the numerous interpretive panels showcasing art and cultural pieces. https://www.gg.ca/en/visit-us/rideau-hall
The Residence
The original stone “villa” was built in 1838 by Thomas MacKay as a home for his family. MacKay was a wealthy entrepreneur – a stonemason and one of the general contractors of the Rideau Canal entrance locks and the mills at Rideau Falls - the landmark after which Rideau Hall was named.
Ottawa (Bytown) was named capital of the “Province of Canada” in 1857. In 1864, the Government of Canada was looking for a country estate in the capital for the Governor General. Rideau Hall was inadequate in many ways, being small and distant from central Ottawa. It was leased anyway, as “temporary” quarters for Lord Monck - the last Governor General of British North America, 1861–1867, and first Governor General of the Dominion of Canada, 1867–1869.
Over the years, the house has evolved in size and complexity to serve its various official purposes. Rideau Hall may have been small when it was first rented in 1864, but the concept of a viceregal estate was already in place to guide architects as they began the work of transformation. As early as 1868, Rideau Hall had acquired a changed image. Many further changes and additions were made over the years, and now the main building has about 175 rooms, covering about 8,825 square metres (95,000 square feet).
You can book a guided tour of the state rooms in the residence, where the Governor General fulfills official duties, welcomes dignitaries and honours Canadians. The residence is home to a fine collection of Canadian art and furniture. Details here: https://www.gg.ca/en/visit-us/rideau-hall/what-see-and-do/residence
The National Capital Commission (NCC) has managed the buildings and grounds of Rideau Hall since 1988. In recent years, the NCC has developed plans for the buildings and grounds, and completed several essential upgrades and regular maintenance projects. https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/rideau-hall
For a lot more details on the history of the property and the evolution of the residence, I encourage you to check out the Wikipedia entry on Rideau Hall at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rideau_Hall
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.