August 2004. In July I described the Centre Block of Parliament, but for the sake of brevity did not include the Library and the Peace Tower. Now they, along with the historic but less well-known East Block, are the subject of this present article.

Located behind the Centre Block, the 1876 gothic revival Library survived the fire of 1916. It is circular, with 16 flying buttresses and a copper-clad roof. With its beautiful floor of inlaid cherry, oak and walnut, and its carved panelling of white pine, it is reputed to be one of the ... (more)