Public Consultation Continues to September 9
HERITAGE OTTAWA
On August 18, several members of Heritage Ottawa's board of directors welcomed the opportunity to tour the former U.S. Embassy building at 100 Wellington Street and attend the "Town Hall" event regarding potential future use of the building.
Hosted by the Government of Canada, the well-attended evening launched a three-week public consultation period during which Canadians are invited to "have their say" on the future of 100 Wellington. Opening remarks by Assistant Deputy Minister Rob Wright, Minister Catherine McKenna, Mayor Jim Watson and Minister Judy Foote were followed by informative presentations by Victoria Angel of ERA Architects and urban planner Larry Beasely on the history and future potential of the building.
Beasely noted the importance of selecting a use that is compatible with and benefits from the style of the building, rather than struggles with it.
The Government presented six potential uses for 100 Wellington, each with a national focus: Canada House, a Capital Information Centre, a Gallery, an Indigenous Cultural Facility, an Interpretive Centre for Parliament, and a Museum.
When the floor opened to public comments, the overwhelming majority of speakers expressed support for a National Portrait Gallery. Attendees speaking in favor included former Heritage Ottawa president David Flemming, former Senator Jerry Grafstein, a representative of "Friends of a National Portrait Gallery of Canada" and Lilly Koltun, Director General of the Portrait Gallery of Canada from 2001 to 2010. To a round of applause, Koltun concluded that if a National Portrait Gallery is established at 100 Wellington, "what we will have given is a great gift to our children."
An architectural jewel in the heart of Canada's capital, the former U.S. Embassy building at 100 Wellington Street was designed in 1931-1932 by prominent American architect Cass Gilbert. Superbly located directly across from Parliament Hill, the Beaux-Arts style building was home to the US Embassy from 1932 until 1999 when the Embassy moved to its current site on Sussex Drive. Plans for a 'Portrait Gallery of Canada' at 100 Wellington were well underway when the newly elected Conservative government canceled the project in 2006. Despite its status as a Classified Federal Heritage Building, 100 Wellington has been vacant for nearly 20 years.
The Government of Canada has now committed to transforming this significant heritage structure into a "special destination".
After touring the building, hearing the Town Hall presentations and considering the options, Heritage Ottawa supports the establishment of a National Portrait Gallery at 100 Wellington.
The building is well suited to this purpose, and its location opposite Parliament Hill is without peer. Considerable work to repurpose the building as a portrait gallery had already been undertaken when the project was cancelled in 2006.
The portrait gallery's collection includes more than 20,000 paintings, drawings and prints, four million photographs and thousands of caricatures. It includes iconic images of North American First Nations leaders who visited the court of Queen Anne in 1710 and were painted in ceremonial dress, thousands of iconic 20th century photos by Yousuf Karsh, and countless works by both major artists and the relatively unknown. Contrary to some perceptions, the collection is not limited to portraits of politicians or heads of state. This vast collection belongs to all Canadians yet remains in archival storage, inaccessible to the general public. Public support for the long-delayed portrait gallery has been strong. Repeat attendance would be likely as the collection rotates through the gallery over time.
The collection deserves to be seen, deserves a building of architectural excellence, and deserves a prime location in the heart of Canada's capital where it can be enjoyed by Canadians and international visitors alike.
A country is built by people and their stories. Canada deserves a National Portrait Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery deserves a home at 100 Wellington.
Heritage Ottawa encourages all Canadians to have their say on the future of 100 Wellington before the public consultation ends on September 9. Click here to visit the Government of Canada's online survey.
100 Wellington will be open to the public on September 6, 7, 8 and 9 from 8:30 am to 10 am, and on September 7 from 5 pm to 7 pm.