The Detroit times., 1912-01-03
DUKE OF CONNAUGHT IS
CHARTERED IN HISTORIC
BUILDING, IN OTTAWA
Few Homes in Canada Have
Such Unique Past as Old
Rideau Hall.
KING GEORGE THERE ONCE.
Structure Built in 1888 by
Thomas Mckay Sheltered
Him II Years Ago.
KING GEORGE THERE ONCE.

OTTAWA, Jan. 3.-The distinction
OF being the only home OF royalty on
the North American continent be-
longs. with the recent arrival OF the
duke OF Connaught Canadas new
governor-general. 20 ola historic
Rdeau hall
Few indeed are the homes in Can
ada which have had such a unique
and eyentful past II its walls could
only speak they would certainly tell
strange tales. In its time IL has shei-
tered lords earls. marquises and even
king. Now il becomes the residence
OF duke. King George and Queen
Mary were entertained in the hall by
the earl OF Mimic, - years ago.
"A picturesque old place" has the
building been described by many
An old ramshackle barn" comes the
definition from another source. For
as frequently occurs in the best OF
regulated countries Rdeau hall has
become a political theme, the con
servatiyes, recently elected, having
maintained that the building was a
source of waste on the part OF the
government and an unsuitable home
Tor the governor
Rideau hall was built in 1888 by
Thomas Mckay, "A Scotch contractor
IL was then the finest residence in OF
tawa. Mckay loved music anu on ,tbe
building he erected a tower which he
used as a music hall. Here he spent
many an hour squeezing the bagpipes.
In time the building became known
as McKay's castle.
On through the years the building
stood, gathering traditions until Mrs.
T. c. keefer christened It Rideau
hall. In 1865, the government leased
II for ~ years al $4,000 year with
an option to buy il for So 900, At
that time plans were prepared 10 en-,
large the hall for the coming OF the
first governor general OF Canada, Wis
count Monck in July 1857 the year
of confederation In 1868, the gov
ernment bought the place.
Lord Lisgar, who succeeded Wis
count Monck, was evidently a care
ful man who had regard for expenses.
1t Is said he used 10 invite guests
10 the hall and at 8 o'clock the lights
In the place were turned out and the
guests were left 10 grope their way
ont as best they could.
Be1Ore the arrival OF the earl Oh
Dufferin in 1872, about 100000 was
spent 10 patch mp and enlarge the
residence And soon after the earl
came, his wife added to the members
OF the household by presenting a
young son.
There are over 100 rooms in Rideau
hall. and many OF them are well fur
nished The ballroom is really beau
tlful place and compares fayorably
with any OF the famous bathrooms In
the mansions and castles OF the world
One OF the true lovers OF the old
place and its surroundings was the
Princess Louise. wife of the duke OF
Argyle. who was governor II was
she who had the Princess Louise
driveway cut through fhe trees as
well as the vista made so that she
could see the hills and scenery in
the distance.
The governors who have occupied
Rideau hall are Niscount Monck
appointed July /. 1867 Lord I.isgar
1858: Earl Dutferin, 1872; Marquis or
I.orne. 1878 Marquis of lausdown.
1859 Lord Stanley OF Preston, 1888:
Earl OF Aberdeen, 1893 Earl Of Mimic.
, 1898 Earl Grey. 1904 and the duke
OF Connaught. who is now in office.