A view of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, regardless of the angle, is the quintessential iconic image that citizens and tourists alike hold of not only Canada’s capital but of the entire country. With its sprawling lawn, Centennial Flame, central Peace Tower and surrounding Gothic Revival style buildings, for many, the seat of the Canadian government embodies and reflects the land and its people.

Recent archaeological investigations, undertaken as part of the Centre Block Rehabilitation Project, have revealed the rich remains of the Hill’s previous function as a military base from which the construction of the Rideau Canal was controlled and coordinated.  Then known as Barrack Hill, this same landscape harbored the Royal Sappers and Miners and other elements of other units who would undertake and oversee, under the command of Lt-Col John By, the construction of a major inland waterway designed to protect the fledgling nation from a rising and expansive neighbour to the south.

During this keynote address, Stephen Jarrett, the lead archaeologist on this massive project will review the history of Barrack Hill as a military installation as well as its role in the development of the Rideau Canal and its place in the newly forming community of Bytown.

The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period with Mr. Jarrett.

Join us for this free event on Friday, October 22 at 7:30 pm.  Pre-registration to the symposium is required: