History to the People

Photo Credit: McCord Museum Archives

The nineteenth century was a pioneering time on so many levels for Canadian society. It was a great century for the expansion of the west, the Confederation of the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada and scientific discoveries led to the development of the telegraph, electric power and the automobile by the end of the century. Yet, in these developments, there was also a revolution happening in the heart of Canada’s cultural and artistic mecca of Montréal. That revolution, which would transform Canadian society from coast to coast, was the development of photography. Throughout the nineteenth century, and well into the twentieth, an image of Canada was broadcast to the rest of the world as a place of beauty, grandeur and vast diversity in its landscapes and its people. At the forefront of that revolution of photographic wonder was the William Notman and Son Studio from Montréal. (more…)

I want to wish all my readers a very Happy and Healthy New Year for 2012 and thank you for your support, comments and suggestions over the last year. I will be returning after a hiatus with all new stories, features, recipes and more. So stay tuned and drop me a line in you have any story suggestions. I appreciate hearing from all of you.

Cheers!

Laura

Photo Credit: Stephen Rees

Have you ever met someone who was so dedicated to making a dream come true despite all the swirling negativity about that dream? Sometimes it seems as if no one can understand that person’s dream and especially what seems to be a fool-hearty waste of time in trying to make it a reality. This is exactly what happened to George Massey from Ladner, British Columbia. For nearly twenty years, Massey put his own time and money into trying to convince anyone who would listen to him that a tunnel could be built under the south arm of the Fraser River to connect Delta with Richmond. Canadian based engineering firms told him he was crazy while the BC Government reps got to the point where they would almost hide under the table when Massey would come knocking on the door with more information to argue his case. But if anything can be learned, the story of George Massey is proof that persistence and passionate dedication to a cause will make any dream come true.  (more…)

Photo Credit: Laura Waldie

So is the buzz of last weekend’s Royal wedding still with you? Are you still in awe over the dresses worn by Kate or her show-stopping sister, Pippa? Well let me tell you about a new exhibit and upcoming fashion show happening at Baden, Ontario’s Castle Kilbride which will make the Royal wedding fashions an awful lot less spectacular! (more…)

So what are you doing May 8th? Do you live in Alberta and are looking to experience a fun day out? May I suggest heading down to one of my favourite museums, the Bomber Command Museum of Canada in Nanton, Alberta. Nanton is a beautiful town south of Calgary and just west of Vulcan. For many years, this town has been the site of a world class museum dedicated to Canada’s participation in Bomber Command from 1939 to 1945. There are many planes on display including the iconic Avro Lancaster, which was built here in Canada. The Bomber Command Museum of Canada is one of this country’s true gems in honouring the strong Air Force tradition that Canada has developed.

I was happy to have received the following press release from the folks at the Museum to let my Alberta readers know about this upcoming event. If you are available on May 8th, this Museum is putting on a special VE Day celebration and it will definitely be worth a visit. Once you have been, you’ll want to keep coming back again and again for their various events throughout the year. Below is the press release with more information including contacts. My thanks to Dayna at the Bomber Command Museum of Canada. (more…)

Photo Credit: Laura Waldie

I was emailed today with what I thought was a neat question. Derek from St. John’s asked me “What building is in your gravatar? It looks quite old.” It is an old building actually. Well, old by Canadian standards I suppose. It is the Black Swan Guesthouse on Peasholme Green in York, England. It was built in 1417 for William Bowes who became Lord Mayor of York that same year. The Bowes went on to make quite a name for themselves as a family of goldsmiths to the Tudor Kings and Queens and William’s son Martin became Lord Mayor of London. Martin was also an advid heritage conservationist! He intervened in the proposed demolition of several medieval churches in York, including St. Cuthbert’s and the York Rectory, by arguing that these buildings were still in great shape and were links to the City’s historic past and should be saved. He then went on to restore the Church so it could be passed down to us in good condition today. But the real reason I use this building pictured above as my gravatar is its Canadian connections…. (more…)

I know many of you have sent comments and emails about the Historic Family Recipes series I started and how you have liked the recipes that have been posted so far. Don’t worry, I do plan to bring the series back and start posting some more recipes for your shortly. In the meantime, to get your fix of recipes and the history of food in Canada, please check out this lovely little site: The Culinary Historians of Canada.

 This group of Historians is based in Toronto and though the focus is mainly Ontario, they give a lot of great information about historic kitchens in Canadian museums, recipes, festivals and some resources for you to check out. If you have any links to culinary historians or groups in your province, do drop the CHC a line and I’m sure they will be happy post it on their website.

Anybody who points me in the direction of food gets a huge gold star beside their name in my book! So a special thanks to Deborah for sending me the information so I could pass it along to all of you.

Happy cooking!

Photo Credit: Comox Valley Echo

Well, sadly it is official.  As a follow up to a previous story I posted this morning, the Lorne Hotel and Pub in Comox, one of British Columbia’s oldest and longest serving hotels, has been completely destroyed by fire today. It’s a very sad loss for heritage in British Columbia.

If you would like to read the story at the Vancouver Sun by Tamara Cunningham, please click here to take you directly to the story.

Below is a picture of the Lorne Hotel in the 1880s, courtesy of the Comox Archives and Museum.

Photo Credit: Comox Archives and Museum

Photo Credit: City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1244, Item 1

Although the date of April 19, 1904 would suggest it must have been a very pleasant and mild spring day in Toronto, it was actually quite the opposite. The temperature was -4 Celsius and there were flurries in the air that evening in the downtown core. But the winter-like conditions were the least of Toronto’s worries. People were furiously jumping off the streets and onto the sidewalks to avoid the charging horse teams that pulled 7,500 pound fire engines down Wellington Street West at about 8:30 that evening. When the night was over, Toronto had lived through the worst city fire in its history.  (more…)

Historic Lorne Hotel and Pub, Comox BC. Built 1878. Photo Credit: Bob_2006

Yet, another heritage building tragedy to report this morning, this time out of British Columbia. I just got an email from a friend that the historic landmark Lorne Hotel and Pub in Comox is on fire. This historic landmark was built by an American investor in 1878 and is one of British Columbia’s longest running hotels. It is a beautiful structure with many of it’s original interior features and is a supurb example of local, vernacular craftsmanship.

Let’s hope the fire isn’t too serious and this building can be saved. I’ll keep you up to date on developments with this story.