This page was created by Kyle Kreutner.  The last update was by Maegen Sargent.

Tent Room

The Tent Room and Society

In addition to hosting formal functions, the Tent Room also satisfied a second type of entertaining need - one which accommodated the Dufferins’ socially progressive views. Upon their arrival in Canada, they had instituted a new system for government entertaining, a kind of middle-ground between English formality and American laxity in which, as R. H. Hubbard wrote, “virtually everyone who could afford the clothes could attend viceregal functions” (Hubbard 1977, 21). In this context, the advantages of having a flexible entertainment space became apparent.

With walls that could literally be taken down to be washed and mended, the Tent Room could serve to accommodate a wide variety of guests who might not possess an operative knowledge of formal etiquette. In fact, even servants’ balls were held there, one of which occurred just two days after its formal inauguration (Tent Room, NCCP 2003, 3). The Tent Room was, it seems, always intended to be a multifunctional space, and the Dufferins would continue to use it for formal events, theatrical performances, and, in 1878, a fund-raising bazaar for a local church (Tent Room, NCCP 2003, 4).

Rideau Hall’s later tenants would also use the room as a setting for less formal gatherings. This is perhaps best illustrated by the so-called ‘standing suppers’ that were organized by Lord Dufferin’s successor the Marquess of Lorne. During these dinners, as the name suggests, guests in formal attire stood around high tables to eat. These events were organized for the benefit of the Marquess’ wife, Princess Louise, helping to avoid embarrassment when hosting guests not familiar with the royal protocol for sitting and standing when she did (“Life at Rideau Hall” 1882, 218-119; Tent Room, NCCP 2003, 6).

The Governor General Lord Aberdeen and his wife, who held even more socially progressive views than their predecessors, also continued to use the space in this way. Lady Aberdeen did not approve of class intolerance, and held events that, as former Governor General Lord Minto wrote, “absolutely upset society” by inviting “a huge crowd of people quite unentitled to official recognition” (Minto to Elliot 1898, n.p.). It is perhaps telling, however, that the formal drawing rooms were kept locked during these events (Minto to Elliot 1899, n.p.).


Over the next century, the space would continue to be used for many kinds of social and political entertainments, including costume balls, square-dances, as an art gallery, and for children’s parties - which became a tradition in the Tent Room for many years (Tent Room, NCCP 2003, 6-7). This kind of use took its toll, however, and in 1939 the Tent Room would undergo one of its most radical refurbishments. As part of preparations for a royal visit, wall-to-wall carpeting was laid down, and the tent stripes were changed from red and white, to green and white (Tent Room, NCCP 2003, 15).

 

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