The weather outside was cold and wet, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of 340 visitors who got a look inside the United States Embassy in Ottawa as part of Doors Open Ottawa 2016.
Participating in the event for the seventh consecutive year, members of the Embassy community were pleased to welcome theirOttawa neighbors. On arrival, visitors took a virtual tour that briefly explained the Embassy’s history and design philosophy. Embassy employees then offered a guided tour highlighting some of the building’s architectural features and its art collection. Works of art on display in the building come from the Department of State’s Art in Embassies Program and the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE). Visitors took a look inside the Ambassador’s office, where Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs Russel Brown gave a pop quiz on the U.S.-Canada relationship, with Embassy-branded M&M’s as a prize for correct answers.
Doors Open Ottawa is part of Doors Open Ontario, a province-wide initiative to help the general public learn more about the province’s cultural heritage. The Embassy has participated in the annual event since 2010. For more information on Doors Open Ottawa, please visit ottawa.ca.
