Cartier Square Drill Hall
2 Queen Elizabeth Driveway
Written by Bytown Museum
on
03/Dec/2009
The Cartier Square Drill Hall is the oldest drill hall in Canada still in use as an armoury. It has been the headquarters of the Governor General's Foot Guards and the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (earlier known as the 43rd Ottawa and Carleton Battalion of Rifles) since the day it opened in 1882. Both of these units are now part of Canada's Primary Reserves, providing trained volunteer soldiers to augment the Regular Army.
The luxurious Officers' Mess at the Drill Hall was the scene of then-Minister of Militia and Defence Sir Sam Hughes' declaration of war by Canada in 1914.
Did you know that the Drill Hall is the starting point for the Ceremonial Guard that marches to Parliament Hill for the Changing of the Guard each summer day?
