Walking Tour - The Handmaid's Tale in Cambridge Ontario

Living Levee Trail on the Grand River

"In 1974, the city was devastated by a severe flood, which prompted a formal riverbank development program. The plan was aimed at minimizing the damage if another such flood were to occur."  Source 

The floodwalls of the Grand River serve as the perfect backdrop for "The Wall" in Gilead. Many scenes of the Handmaid's and their Aunts were filmed along this stretch of the Grand River. There is a cement walkway between Parkhill Road East past the Main Street bridge down along the water. You can see the famed Cambridge Mill and the Central Presbyterian Church along with Main Street Bridge in the background.

Cambridge Farmers' Market

The Cambridge Farmers' Market dates back to the 1830s with the current market building holding its seat on Dickson Street, designed by architect Frederick Mellish, was built in 1887.

The Farmers' Market building’s continued use as a market is unique in Ontario. While other markets either remain outdoors only or have had their original buildings converted for other uses, the CFM has continued to flourish in its original location in its original building for its original intended use and this should be celebrated.

The current Farmers' Market includes two separate buildings built at different times. The one-storey structure was built in 1887 by mason William Fulton under the supervision of William Graham. The two-storey structure was built in 1896, designed by local architect Fred Mellish. The two-storey building was built by mason, W. Edmonds and carpenters, W. and F. A. Scott.

The upper floor of the two-storey building housed the Galt Public Library until 1905. Starting in 1907, the upper floor served as rehearsal rooms for The Galt Kiltie Band. The Galt Kiwanis Youth Band also used the rooms for rehearsal from 1949 to 1972. The rooms were converted into municipal offices in 1978.

The market building was designated as a heritage structure in July 1984, under the  Ontario Heritage Act .

The Farmers' Market stands in for the market in Gilead where June and the other Handmaids shop for their household groceries.

 Source 

Cambridge City Hall

50 Dickson Street

Construction of the New City Hall for the City of Cambridge was completed in the spring of 2008 at a total cost of $21-million. The building was the first municipal city hall in Canada to earn a Gold LEED designation. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a nationally recognized program for rating buildings that make an effort to reduce their impact on the environment. A significant feature that contributes to the internal environment of the building is the 110 square metre “green wall” located in the atrium that includes over 3,000 plants of 30 different species. The building houses the civic employees and administrative services of the city, as well as spaces and squares designed for community events.

Cambridge City Hall is featured as the exterior of Gilead's court house where Handmaid, Ofglen, has been charged and sentenced and is lead away to an awaiting van.

Market Square and Historic City Hall

46 Dickson Street

Considered to be a flagship heritage building in Cambridge, this ashlars granite Italianate public building was designed by H.B. Sinclair and R. Burrows.

Built in 1857 (oldest photo in Archives collection). The clock tower was added in 1897 in celebration of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The original cost of the building was 4,650 pounds sterling. The building was the centre of local government until the early 1980’s at which time the administration moved into leased space in Cambridge Place on Water Street. Original town hall still stands at 56-58 Cambridge Street moved from 46 Dickson in 1856.

Today the ground level houses the Cambridge Archives which are located in a climate-controlled vault made possible by a generous donation of $600,000 from Toyota, in 1986. The offices are located on the second floor along with meeting facilities and the City’s Hall of Fame; and the upper level is the City of Cambridge Council Chambers.

The building has undergone major restoration work starting in 2008 which will was completed in 2010. Included is the addition of a glass link connecting the historic building to the New City Hall and the reinstatement of the second storey exterior stairs.

Historic City Hall council chambers serve as Gilead's courthouse where handmaid Ofglen is tried and sentenced.

16 Ainslie Street South

Filmed in a local business, home to Monigrams Coffee Roasters, O-T Fagbenle and Elisabeth Moss sit at a table ready in this scene. Pictured as before Gilead, Luke and June enjoy a coffee date with daughter Hannah.

Main Street at Ainslie Street

The heart of downtown Cambridge serves as a backdrop for many scenes in The Handmaid's Tale. It is the set for pre-Gilead protests as well as Gilead daily life.

Main Street Bridge

Cambridge's iconic Main Street Bridge is featured heavily throughout the show. The historic views and surroundings are showcased as Gilead with the Handmaid's and their Aunts regularly traversing the bridge.

Queens' Square

In the mid 1830’s, Galt’s Founder, William Dickson originally developed Queen’s Square with the intention of it being the town centre and home to the town’s Market. 

Queen’s Square is home to many historic Galt landmarks; Knox's Presbyterian Church was erected 1869-1870, Central Presbyterian Church was built in 1882, Galt's war memorial was unveiled in Queen’s Square on November 10, 1930. 

The Centennial Fountain was added in recognition of Canada’s 100th Birthday, it has been restored and reopened to the public

The Queen’s Square Cannon was presented to the Town of Galt in 1864 as a gift in the aftermath of the Crimean War, fought by Great Britain and the Russian Empire.  

Queen's Square was the set for secretive mayday conversations, protests, processions, flashbacks and more in Gilead.