Journalism professor Randy Boswell has written and designed a book about the origin of the historic Lord Elgin Hotel in downtown Ottawa. The commissioned account of the building and the business it houses, titled The Lord Elgin Hotel: Mackenzie King’s Capital Vision and the Birth of a Landmark, mainly traces the events in 1940-41 leading to the construction of the hotel, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2016.
The building is a high-profile piece of Ottawa architecture and is particularly noteworthy for Second World War-era prime minister Mackenzie King’s direct involvement in the hotel’s placement and design. The building is significant as an early example of the “world class” national capital King dreamed Ottawa-Gatineau could become. The book was unveiled at a Feb. 27 gala fundraiser for the Canadian Red Cross attended by Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, National Capital Commission chief executive Mark Kristmanson and about 250 local business leaders, tourism officials and other guests — many dressed for a 1940s theme party.
Excerpts of the book were published the same day by the Ottawa Citizen and Ottawa Sun and the book was also profiled in Le Droit.
Monday, February 29, 2016 in Journalism News, News
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