Former Geological Survey of Canada Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Former Geological Survey of Canada Building |
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The building in 2016
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| Former names | Old Mines Building, Clarendon Hotel |
| Alternative names | Ancien édifice de la Commission géologique du Canada |
| General information | |
| Address | 541 Sussex Drive |
| Town or city | Ottawa, Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°25′35″N 75°41′38″W / 45.426514°N 75.693933°W |
| Completed | 1863 |
| Renovated | 1879, 1881, 1917 |
| Owner | The Queen in Right of Canada |
| Landlord | Government of Canada |
| Official name: Former Geological Survey of Canada Building National Historic Site | |
| Designated: | 1955 |
The Former Geological Survey of Canada Building (French: Ancien édifice de la Commission géologique du Canada) is a historic three-story stone building. It is located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. You can find it where Sussex Drive and George Street meet, in the Byward Market area.
This building is named after its former tenant, the Geological Survey of Canada. In 1955, it was named a National Historic Site of Canada. This is because it is one of the oldest buildings still standing in Ottawa. Over many years, it has been used by various public and cultural groups.
Building History
The oldest part of this building was built in 1863. It was owned by James Skead, a local businessman, and Edward Griffen. Griffen later sold his part to Skead. The building then became known as Skead's Hotel.
From 1864 to 1871, the building was rented by the Canadian government. It was used as a military barracks, called the George Street Barracks. After that, it was empty for several years.
In 1875, a restaurant owner named William Mills bought the building. He ran it as the Clarendon House Hotel for a few years. The hotel closed by 1877.
Home to the Geological Survey
The Government of Canada bought the building in 1879. They wanted to use it as the main office for the Geological Survey of Canada.
Soon after the government bought it, the building hosted an important event. In March 1880, the first exhibit of the Canadian Academy of Arts took place here. The artworks from this show later became the first collection for the National Gallery of Canada.
Later that year, the building was changed to fit its new purpose. It became offices and a museum for the Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada. This museum and its collections were very popular. In its first year, 9,549 people visited. This museum was the start of Canada’s national museums.
The part of the building facing Sussex Drive was rebuilt in 1881. The Geological Survey of Canada stayed in the building until 1911. Then, they moved to the Victoria Memorial Museum.
The building was renovated again to make space for the federal Department of Mines. A new laboratory was added to the George Street side in 1917.
