Re: Islands of Ottawa: Green Island a historical microcosm of the city, Aug. 19.
Bruce Deachman’s description of the “elegant marble spiral staircase” reminds me of my only visit to Ottawa’s “old” City Hall in the early 1960s.
My teenage daughter and I were going up that fine stairway to a reception in one of the upper rooms when the long necklace she was wearing snagged on the handrail and broke. A tinkling shower of coloured glass beads rained down on startled people below, some of whom tried to catch them until we all realized the futility of such an exercise! Embarrassed, we murmured our thanks; Mary sadly stuffed the remaining string in her pocket, and we went on our way.
I know that Ottawa was quite proud of the original building, but not so much after those “controversial additions.”
N. Ann Smith, Ottawa
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