Canada's House: Rideau Hall and the Invention of a Canadian Home

Ian A. Andrews is editor of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association’s Focus and co-author of Becoming a Teacher.

Like the country whose representative occupies it while fulfilling a
ceremonial and symbolic role, Rideau Hall presents a face that is modest
and understated, but elegant and comfortable. It has been the residence
of Canada’s Governor General since shortly after Confederation—home
to representatives of British royalty for nearly a century before
housing Canadians from Vincent Massey to Adrienne Clarkson. Each new
resident has added unique features to its living space and landscape.

Canada’s House is really three books in one; each section focuses on
a particular aspect of Rideau Hall. Celebrated historian Margaret
MacMillan traces the story of the residence and those who have occupied
its rambling confines. Gardening author Marjorie Harris describes the
layout and decoration of the grounds, which capture the changing
season-to-season splendour representative of our northern climate. Food
and wine author Anne Desjardins proudly displays Rideau Hall’s
distinctive dishes and drink, representative of the culinary treasures
of the nation. All three authors freely use the words of Adrienne
Clarkson and John Ralston Saul to convey what living at Rideau Hall is
like.

Readers will delight at MacMillan’s insight into the lives of its
occupants, revel at Harris’s descriptions of its gardens, wish to use
the scrumptious recipes and menus dished up by Desjardins, or simply
gaze at the book’s exquisite photographs. Whatever the case,
Canada’s House is a terrific book.