The Story of Canada’s Parliament:
One Vision Over Time
Tour Description:
The Centre Block is Canada’s most iconic landmark. It is the apex of Parliament Hill and the image of our Nation. For Canadians, as well as for people around the world, it has come to hold immeasurable cultural value over time: as a seat of democratic governance, a monument to Canada’s coming of age, a steward of tradition, a champion of the future, a convergence of segments within society, a national stage, a place of pilgrimage, a model of design and craftsmanship, and a window onto a boundless Canadian landscape.There is a symbiotic relationship between the picturesque buildings and the sublime landscape that is Parliament Hill. It is a testament to our ever changing relationship with nature where the spirit of the Hill is defined by this quintessential Canadian landscape and where the natural environment contributes to the ordered harmony of the complex. This extraordinary landscape, together with the gothic triad of buildings, creates a visual dialogue that has come to define Canada.Tour both the landscape of Parliament Hill and the Centre Block with PSPC Heritage Conservation Services staff John Zvonar and Carole Lumsdon.
General Itinerary:
- Site walking tour starting at Chateau Laurier terrace (half group)
- Centre Block building tour starting at Centennial Flame (half group)
- Lunch will be provided
- After lunch, tour groups will switch and complete other half of tour
- MORE DETAILS TO COME
Tour Leaders:
Carole Lumsdon is a Senior Conservation Architect with Heritage Conservation Services (PSPC). She has provided conservation advice and direction to realize conservation projects on Parliament Hill since joining PSPC in 1993. She participated in the early development of the Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct, Peace Tower and Centre Block projects. Carole works in a matrix environment with a multidisciplinary team to achieve project goals.
John Zvonar is a Senior Conservation Landscape Architect who is focused on protecting nationally-significant cultural landscapes for Heritage Conservation Services (PSPC), including sites under the jurisdiction of Parks Canada, other federal departments such as Veterans Affairs Canada, and at the Parliamentary Precinct in Ottawa.Heritage Conservation Services (Public Services and Procurement Canada) is the Centre of Expertise in Heritage Conservation for the Canadian federal government. HCS provides professional and technical multi-disciplinary services in the sound stewardship of Canada’s built heritage and cultural landscapes.
