2004 Walking Tours

1. Beaux Arts Ottawa: (This tour will be repeated on October 10.)
The architectural style of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris came to the United States and later to Ottawa. Ottawa’s Beaux Arts buildings feature classical exteriors on modern steel frames, with symmetrical plans and a progressive arrangement of space. Twelve of the city’s most important Beaux-Arts buildings, designed by leading Canadian and American architects in the first half of the 20th century, plus some additional classical façades, will be seen along Sparks and Wellington Streets.

Guide: David Jeanes, Railway & Amateur Historian
Date: June 13, 2:00 PM
Departure: Conference Centre (formerly Union Station), Confederation Square entrance

2. Glebe: This tour of the Glebe neighbourhood focuses on the picturesque houses of Werner Ernest Noffke (1878-1964) in the Clemow Avenue Development, the urban public schools of Edgar L. Horwood (1868-1957) and the rich collection of early 20th Century churches by notable Ottawa architects. Also included is an introduction to the natural topography and public works which shaped development in the Glebe, an examination of some successful modern infill developments and a look at two remarkable exhibition buildings in Lansdowne Park.

Guide: Gouhar Shemdin, Conservation Architect
Date: June 27, 2:00 PM
Departure: Corner of Clemow and O'Connor

3. Lowertown: Visit the Basilica, churches, courtyards and historic buildings of the ByWard Market and Lowertown area. This area represents the heart of historic Ottawa since it was here that the canal workers lived and the earliest commercial district began.

Guide: Hagit Hadaya, Architectural Historian
Date: July 4, 10:00 AM
Departure: Statue of Col. John By, Major’s Hill Park (behind the Château Laurier Hotel)

4. Village of Britannia: Walk through the historic Village of Britannia and discover the story of its emergence as a late-Victorian resort destination. The extension of the city's streetcar tracks westward in 1900 brought Ottawa's leisure seekers, ushering in the golden years before World War I. Much of Britannia retains a village flavour and many former cottages have survived, some still evoking the character of the old summer resort community.

Guide: Carolyn Quinn, Former Heritage Ottawa President
Date: August 22, 2:00 PM
Departure: Parking lot at top of hill off Greenview Ave.

5. The Ruisseau de la Brasserie in Gatineau: Discover the industrial
heritage of the former City of Hull, including the E.B. Eddy buildings, the historical plaque of Hull’s founder Philemon Wright and the Village d'Argentine where many heritage houses are located. This year, this tour will be given in English.

Guide: Michel Prévost, President, Societé d’histoire de l’Outaouais
Date: August 29, 2:00 PM
Departure: The Théâtre de l’lle, 1 Wellington Street, Gatineau (former Hull).

6. Sandy Hill: The beautifully maintained mansions and townhouses of this early Ottawa residential district date from 1870 into the early 20th century. The tour will highlight the positive effect zoning changes in the mid-1970s had on the preservation of buildings in the area.

Guide: Judy Deegan, Former LACAC member and Sandy Hill resident
Date: September 12, 2:00 PM
Departure: Laurier House, 335 Laurier Ave. East (at Chapel)

7. Village of Hintonburg: Named for Joseph Hinton, a shopkeeper and civic official, the village of Hintonburg was incorporated in 1893. Lying just beyond the Ottawa city limits, the village extended from about present-day Bayview Road to Island Park Drive and between the two rail lines marked today by Scott Street and the Queensway. The tour will take you through the heart of this interesting, eclectic, heritage rich, and socially varied neighbourhood (copies of the recently published “Hintonburg & Mechanicsville, A Narrative History” will be available at $20.00/ copy).

Guide: Linda Hoad, Heritage Committee, Hintonburg Community Association
Date: September 19, 2:00 PM
Departure: Saint-François-d’Assise Parish Church, Wellington Street at Fairmont Avenue.

8. Rockcliffe Park: Join us for a walk through picturesque Rockcliffe Park with its mix of architectural styles from stately stone mansions and interesting contemporary designs to remaining summer cottages. Learn about the history of the village and the role the MacKay and Keefer families had in determining its layout and even the design of many of its homes.

Guide: Martha Edmond, Historian & Author
Date: September 26, 2:00 PM
Departure: corner of Sandridge and Hillsdale

9. Village of Westboro: Once known as Skead Mills, the police village of Westboro was incorporated in 1905. For many years the community was served by the Ottawa Electric Railway tram line which terminated at the summer resort area of Brittania. The walk and bus ride will explore fine heritage buildings adjoining Richmond Road from Island Park Drive in the east to Windermere Avenue in the west.

Guide: Bruce S. Elliott, Professor of History, Carleton University
Date: October 3, 2:00 PM
Departure: Loblaws Westboro Store, 190 Richmond Road

10. Beaux Arts Ottawa: The architectural style of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris came to the United States and later to Ottawa. Ottawa’s Beaux Arts buildings feature classical exteriors on modern steel frames, with symmetrical plans and a progressive arrangement of space. Twelve of the city’s most important Beaux-Arts buildings, designed by leading Canadian and American architects in the first half of the 20th century, plus some additional classical façades, will be seen along Sparks and Wellington Streets.

Guide: David Jeanes, Railway & Amateur Historian
Date: October 10, 2:00 PM
Departure: Conference Centre (formerly Union Station) Confederation Square entrance

11. New Edinburgh: Once a village lying outside the bounds of Bytown, New Edinburgh was established by industrialist Thomas McKay and comprises both architecturally-rich buildings and simpler stone dwellings built to house 19th century labourers. Walk through one of Ottawa’s most historic neighbourhoods.

Guide: Jennifer Rosebrugh, Former Heritage Ottawa President
Date: October 17, 2:00 PM
Departure: 62 John St, near Sussex Dr.