Doorway to the Past

Aberdeen Pavilion, named after Governor General Lord Aberdeen, is the oldest exhibition hall of its kind left in North America. Designed by architect Moses C. Edey, "The Cattle Castle" was built in 1898 by the Dominion Bridge Company true to the ornate Victorian style. It was, afterall, inspired by the Crystal Palace in London, England although with a much different intention: to host the Central Canadian Exhibition, an agricultural fair at the time. Another use to the space came in 1904 when the Ottawa Senators (then known as the Ottawa Hockey Club) played a full NHL season and hosted the years' Stanley Cup challenge.

This wondrous expanse totaling 36,000 square feet of column-free space was designated a National Historic Site in 1983 and a formidable restoration took place eleven years later thanks to the generosity of the City of Ottawa. It is ironic that even though the Federal Government honoured the building with the National Historic Site title, they and the Provincial Government, refused assistance with the $5.3 million restoration....

When Pigs Fly... Or Cows, Maybe....

This unique weathervane stands on the grounds of Landsdowne Park, more specifically is in front of the historic building Aberdeen Pavilion (you'll have to stop by again tomorrow). The Pavilion itself was used for mostly agrarian showmanship and exhibitions, and became known as the Cattle Castle. Each weekend at the Landsdowne Farmer's Market, passers-by can appreciate this brilliant idea that pays homage to the Ottawa Valley's rich agricultural heritage.