Monthly Archives: August 2010

Church of Our Lady Immaculate, Guelph Ontario

28 August 2010
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Photo Credit: Laura Waldie

One of the things that impressed me the most about Guelph, Ontario was the abundance of mid to late nineteenth century limestone buildings. A person who is interested in Canadian architectural history and heritage planning would feel like they were walking through a candy shop as they explored these beautiful streets! Every corner you turn, you will see a beautiful home, or business, that has been lovingly maintained and cared for. Of the many limestone buildings in Guelph, the one that attracts the most visitors every year is the Church of Our Lady Immaculate, that is perched high on the hill on the corner of Macdonnell and Norfolk streets. Its history is amazing and architecturally, it is one of the finest examples of the French Gothic Revival style for places of worship in all of Canada.  (more…)

Canadian Castles Part I: Craigdarroch Castle

27 August 2010
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Photo Credit: OurBC

I bet when you think of Canadian built heritage and industrial history, a castle is not the first thing that comes to mind. However, Canada does have a number of “castles” that acted as stately homes. In fact, some of these Canadian castles are so grand that they equal, perhaps even surpass, their British and European counterparts in both design and elegance. These castles, as with many stately homes across Canada, had been built by industrialists as a testament to their power and wealth during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. For many, when that power and wealth faded, the families were forced to sell these homes. Fortunately, they have all been saved and are now spectacular museums or public institutions that have earned Canadian National Historic Site status. In the first part of our series on “Canadian Castles”, we’ll go out west to Victoria, British Columbia and feature the first of two castles built by the Dunsmuir family: Craigdarroch Castle. (more…)

The Centre Block Fire of 1916

8 August 2010
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Photo Credit: Centre Block c. 1895, Library and Archives Canada/C-003760

Do you recognise this building? If you thought it looked like the Centre Block building on Parliament Hill, but that Gothic tower was throwing you off a bit, you’d still be correct. This is what the Centre Block looked like in the 1890s. This building would be destroyed by fire in 1916 at the height of the First World War. (more…)

Colonel John McCrae Birthplace and Memorial Gardens in Guelph Ontario

3 August 2010
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Photo Credit: Laura Waldie, 2010

People around the world are familiar with the poem “In Flanders Fields” and recognise the poppy as the universal symbol of the remembrance of all world wars since 1918. The man who wrote that poem was Lt-Col. John McCrae, who was born in Guelph, Ontario. You can visit his birthplace and the Memorial Garden set up in his honour and also learn a great deal about life in late nineteenth century Guelph. (more…)

Mynarksi Memorial Lancaster Western Canadian Tour

1 August 2010
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Andrew Mynarski Memorial Lancaster

Air shows in western Canada are in for a huge treat this month. In fact, nothing like this has been seen in a very long time. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Mynarski Memorial Lancaster is conducting its most comprehensive western tour in more than 20 years and it will be at an air show near you! (more…)

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