New Edinburgh in Ottawa, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Rideau Hall

Photographed by Caroline Record, November 29, 2025

1. Rideau Hall Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Built in 1838 for Thomas McKay, Rideau Hall was originally an elegant stone villa set in a picturesque landscaped park, In 1865 it was leased as a temporary residence for the Governor General until a suitable house could be erected elsewhere. The planned new residence was never constructed. Instead the old building was expanded and eventually almost engulfed by a series of additions between 1865 and 1914. Today Rideau Hall is the official Government House. As the residence of the Crown's representative in Canada it has been a focus of political and social life in the capital.

Érigé en 1838 pour Thomas McKay, Rideau Hall était une élégante villa de pierre, sise dans un parc pittoresque. En 1865, le gouvernement loua la villa pour y loger le Gouverneur général jusqu'à la construction d'une résidence permanente. Comme le projet ne vit jamais le jour, on agrandit l'ancienne maison, y ajoutant des annexes entre 1865 et 1914. Rideau Hall est maintenant la résidence officielle du Gouverneur général. En tant que domicile du représentant de la Couronne au Canada, Rideau Hall est un foyer de vie politique et sociale

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dans la capitale.

Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 45° 26.672′ N, 75° 41.168′ W. Marker is in Ottawa, Ontario. It is in New Edinburgh. It is on Sussex Drive. The marker is to the left of the side entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa ON K1M 1N6, 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: Silent Messengers of the Arctic (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir Charles Stanley Monck (about

Photographed by Caroline Record, November 29, 2025

2. Rideau Hall Marker

The marker is to the left of the entrance behind the flower pot.

90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Lady Aberdeen (about 90 meters away); The Gardener's Cottage / La Maison du jardiner (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); New Edinburgh's First School/Première école de New Edinburgh (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Fraser Schoolhouse/Ecole Fraser (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Thomas McKay 1792-1855 (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Ten Years of Democracy in South Africa (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ottawa.

Also see . . . Rideau Hall (Wikipedia). Overview:

Rideau Hall (officially Government House) is the official residence of the governor general of Canada, the representative of the monarch of Canada. Located in Ottawa, the capital of the country, on a 36-hectare (88-acre) estate at 1 Sussex Drive, the main building consists of approximately 175 rooms across 9,500 square metres (102,000 sq ft), and 27 outbuildings around the grounds. Rideau Hall's site lies just outside the centre of Ottawa. It is one of two official vice-regal residences maintained by the federal Crown, the other being the Citadelle of Quebec. It is also used as the official
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residence of the monarch of Canada, when he is in Canada.

(Submitted on December 7, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2025, by Caroline Record of Montréal, Québec. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 3, 2025, by Caroline Record of Montréal, Québec. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.