Pierre Trudeau's desk retrieved from storage for his son to use

Canada's new prime minister has made a lot of changes in his first month in office, but CBC News has learned Justin Trudeau has also brought a bit of history back to Parliament Hill.

A reporter'stweet was the first clue.

It revealed that former prime minister Stephen Harper's desk had been dismantled and moved to a warehouse.

Sources told CBC News that Trudeau found it too big and asked for a replacement and received one with no small measure of significance for his family.

The desk his father used as prime minister for more than 15 years was retrieved from storage for the younger Trudeau to use.

ARCHIVES Pierre Trudeau sits at his desk in 1980

9 years ago

Duration 0:51

The prime minister Pierre Trudeau sits at his desk for a photo opportunity in 1980. The desk has been retrieved from storage and is now being used by his son.

It arrived late last week and now sits in his third-floor office on the Hill.

Desk used by other PMs, too

The desk was made around 1880 and was used not only by Pierre Trudeau, but by former prime ministers Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Lester B. Pearson, Jean Chrtien and Paul Martin as well.

• Behind the scenes with Justin Trudeau on his 1st day as PM
• Trudeau family pictures remembered by retired photographer Rod MacIvor

A famous picture shows Pierre Trudeau in front of the desk, thumbs in his corduroy pants' pockets, no jacket, and that defiant "Just watch me" look.

Among the mementos in Justin Trudeau's office is another famous picture, the one in which his father is carrying him under his arm, rather like a football, past a saluting Mountie.

There's also the vintage "Hang In There, Baby" cat poster that belonged to his father, which now hangs in an adjacent office.