On Sunday we strolled through Queen's Park and visited the Ontario Legislative Building as part of Doors Open Toronto!
Doors Open is an annual event where a number of buildings - that are often not normally open to the public - are available to visit for free. This type of event started in France in 1984 and has slowly spread around the globe; Toronto hosted the first Doors Open event in North America in 2000.
For this year's Doors Open event, we headed over to a building that we had walked past numerous times, the Ontario Legislative Building. Located in the middle of Queen's Park, this building is home to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario's suite, and the offices of Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs). As we made our way through the park on a sunny Sunday, we stopped to admire the trees and flowers in the area before heading inside.
For this year's Doors Open event, we headed over to a building that we had walked past numerous times, the Ontario Legislative Building. Located in the middle of Queen's Park, this building is home to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario's suite, and the offices of Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs). As we made our way through the park on a sunny Sunday, we stopped to admire the trees and flowers in the area before heading inside.
After making our way indoors, we wandered past a number of exhibits on historical events such as the suffragette movement... and men's facial hair through the ages. Seriously. Some of the styles were incredible.
We also learned some interesting facts about Ontario. Did you know that there are over 250,000 lakes in Ontario accounting for almost a third of the world's fresh water? The more you know!
Then we continued the self-guided tour and stopped by to see a LEGO Legislature that is being built for Canada (and Ontario)'s 150th anniversary this year. Luke jumped at the opportunity to place a brick on this structure.
We also learned some interesting facts about Ontario. Did you know that there are over 250,000 lakes in Ontario accounting for almost a third of the world's fresh water? The more you know!
Then we continued the self-guided tour and stopped by to see a LEGO Legislature that is being built for Canada (and Ontario)'s 150th anniversary this year. Luke jumped at the opportunity to place a brick on this structure.
So excited
Walking up the stairs, we made our way to the East Wing past the Premier's office, admiring the local artwork and portraits adorning the walls. Continuing on the tour, we ventured through a hall of comfy furniture into the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
This building has been the home of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since it opened in 1893, but there were six previous meeting places for Ontario/Upper Canada's parliament from 1797 until 1893. This new facility was designed in the Richardson Romanesque style, with the exterior walls made of pink sandstone, quarried from the Credit Valley in Ontario.
Nowadays in Queen's Park, the house is in session on a set schedule during the weekdays, including over the next few weeks. It is open to the public, so as we left the Legislative Chamber we decided that we would come back to check it out when the house is in session.
This building has been the home of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since it opened in 1893, but there were six previous meeting places for Ontario/Upper Canada's parliament from 1797 until 1893. This new facility was designed in the Richardson Romanesque style, with the exterior walls made of pink sandstone, quarried from the Credit Valley in Ontario.
Nowadays in Queen's Park, the house is in session on a set schedule during the weekdays, including over the next few weeks. It is open to the public, so as we left the Legislative Chamber we decided that we would come back to check it out when the house is in session.
We then headed to the Lieutenant Governor's suite which was hosting a photography exhibit for Canada's 150th anniversary. Books were handed out which provided information on the photographs showcasing 150 stories of Ontarians. We enjoyed walking around the area and reading the stories of other Canadians.
Making our way down a long hall to the exit, we reflected on our visit and just continued enjoying our nice, relaxed walk around the Ontario Legislative Building.
Here are some more photos of our afternoon at Queen's Park:
Making our way down a long hall to the exit, we reflected on our visit and just continued enjoying our nice, relaxed walk around the Ontario Legislative Building.
Here are some more photos of our afternoon at Queen's Park:
(SLIDESHOW)
This time last year we were checking out the CBC Music Festival, in 2015 we were hanging out with friends at Terra Nova national park, three years ago we were on a day trip from Ocean Pond with Elizabeth's parents to check out Heart's Content, and four years ago we got crafty with some furniture.
