Photo Credit: Laura Waldie
Have you ever wondered what a Victorian Christmas looked like in Canada? Did Victorian Canadians celebrate Christmas much the same way Canadians do today? The answer is yes, many Victorian Christmas traditions have continued through the years and one place to see those traditions is at the Colonel John McCrae Birthplace and Memorial Gardens in Guelph. (more…)
Photo Credit: Guelph Museums M968.346.1x
So, you know that Lt. Col John McCrae was a surgeon with the Canadian Army during the First World War who just happened to write the most famous war poem of all time which would create a global symbol of war remembrance still in use almost a century after his death. Yet, you may be asking yourself who was John McCrae the man? There are a lot of interesting little stories about the non-military side of John McCrae that a lot of people don’t know. For example, what was the one thing he did to ease the pain of a dying child, what special thing did he do for his nieces and nephews back home in Guelph, and who was the young woman who captured his heart? Read on and I’ll fill you in on some stories not so well known outside of Guelph and I’ll show you some rarely seen pictures, courtesy of Guelph Museums, of John McCrae. (more…)
Photo Credit: Laura Waldie, 2010
Remembrance Day is observed all across Canada through various services and memorials. Two that I had the pleasure in taking part in today were the services at the Colonel John McCrae Birthplace and Memorial Gardens and the Woodlawn Memorial Park Veteran’s section in Guelph, Ontario. (more…)
Photo Credit: Laura Waldie
Do you recognise this place? Well, if you are a World War One buff, or a regular reader to this site, then you know this is the Colonel John McCrae Birthplace and Memorial Gardens in Guelph, Ontario. Remembrance Day is probably the most perfect day to visit McCrae House as you will witness an array of festvities. And what better place to spend it than at the home of the man who wrote a poem that launched a global outpouring of remembrance for all those who have served their countries in war?
Photo Credit: Guelph Museums via McCord Museum M968.358.1x
The ceremonies kick off at 9am with the Flag Service at McCrae House, followed by the official Remembrance Day Service at 10:30am. Come on out and see the house, talk to the war veterans who will be there, and take part in the activities of the day.
Stay tuned to this site, and I will provide updates on how the day unfolded. It is sure to be a very moving day. These Remembrance Day services are brought to you by the Guelph Museums McCrae House, the City of Guelph, and the Royal Canadian Legion. We look forward to seeing you there!
Photo Credit: Laura Waldie
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…)
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