New handrails  in Rideau Hall’s Front Foyer bear decorative and commemorative elements to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty.

The new handrails highlight the symbolic and historic importance of Rideau Hall. They properly stress the decorum attached to entering the Front Foyer, a space that, completed in 1913, has retained important architectural elements and details from the Edwardian period.

Design and Construction

The new handrails are made of bronze and architectural glass and feature symbols and designs to mark Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. The railings were designed by the architect Georges Drolet and built by artist and blacksmith Cairn Cunnane.  

The design and construction of the new handrails ensure compliance with the most recent health and safety codes and address accessibility issues. Made from durable materials, they will be easy to maintain for future generations.

Private Donation

The Diamond Jubilee handrails were made possible by a private donation from the Honourable Roger Alexander Lindsay. A private citizen from Toronto, Lindsay is also the Rouge Herald of Arms Extraordinary to the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

More Information

Find out more about Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General of Canada and a national historic site.