Lower Town in Ottawa, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Rideau Branch Library (1933)

The Rideau Branch Library Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, September 26, 2024

1. The Rideau Branch Library Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Rideau Branch Library
When formally opened in 1934, the Rideau Branch Library was reputed to be the first bilingual public library in North America. Designed by Ottawa architect J.P. MacLaren, the building's steep hipped roof, flared eaves, flemish gables and distictive frontspiece suggest Jacobean and Norman forms. The library has a distinguished interior featuring wooden beams and brackets, original oak bookcases and a pedimented doorway.

Designated Heritage Property 1998

Succursale Rideau de la bibliotheque publique
A son ouverture en 1934, la succursale Rideau de la bibliotheque publique était connue comme étant la premiere bibliotheque publique bilingue en Amérique du Nord. Oeuvre de l'architecte d'Ottawa J.P. Maclaren, l'edifice, avec son toit en croupe, son avant-toit retroussé, ses pignons flamands et sa façade typique rappelle l'architecture anglaise du début du XVII^e siecle et le style normand. L’intérieur de la bibliotheque se distingue par ses poutres et consoles en bois, ses étagères en chéne d'origine et une entrée a frontons.

Bien designé historique 1998

Erected 1998

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by City of Ottawa.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Communications • Education. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ottawa Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 45° 25.805′ N, 75° 40.989′ W. Marker is in Ottawa, Ontario. It is in Lower Town. It is on Rideau Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 377 Rideau Street, Ottawa ON K1N 5Y6, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Marie-Rose Turcot 1887-1977 (here, next to this marker); 1900 All Saints' Anglican Church (approx. half a kilometer away); L’École Guigues and Regulation 17 / L’École Guigues et le Règlement 17

The Rideau Branch Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, September 26, 2024

2. The Rideau Branch Library

(approx. 0.6 kilometers away); University of Ottawa (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Brûlé House / Maison Brûlé (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); The University of Ottawa: Alma Matter of Thousands of Franco-Ontarians (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); A Tribute to the First Builders of the University of Ottawa (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); The University of Ottawa and Ontario's Francophones (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ottawa.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2024, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. This page has been viewed 196 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 29, 2024, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.