Canada's History Society Strikes Gold at Rideau Hall with Initiation of New Vice-Regal Awards

photo credit: Ken Russell Guelph Historical Society

WINNIPEG, November 30, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Canada's History Society is pleased to confirm today that His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada will present the Governor General's History Awards, a newly expanded set of national honours in the field of Canadian history, on December 12, 2011 in Ottawa at 10 a.m. at Rideau Hall.

Since 1995, Canada's History Society has presented the Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History and the Pierre Berton Award for popular history. Over the past two years, Canada's History Society has been working in partnership with the Canadian Museums Association, the Canadian Historical Association, Historica-Dominion Institute and the Begbie History Society to establish an expanded set of Vice-Regal awards to bring greater profile and recognition to the value of historical research, education and public interpretation.

"We are honoured by the Governor General's decision." said Deborah Morrison, President and CEO of Canada's History Society. "History is a key component of our national culture and identity. These awards reflect the value and importance Canadians have for their history and provide an opportunity to recognize those who work so hard to help us improve our understanding of it."

The new eleven Governor General's History Awards will honour exceptional achievements in five areas: academic research, museums, community programming, as well as classroom teaching and popular history. In addition, six national student awards highlighting annual achievements of youth ranging from age 10-24 will also be presented at the ceremony.

The Canadian Historical Association's Sir John A. Macdonald Prize is a key award being integrated into the new Vice-Regal Awards program as the Governor General's History Award for Scholarly Achievement. For the past 33 years, the association has presented the prize to the non-fiction work of Canadian history publishing in the last year judged to have made the most significant contribution to an understanding of the Canadian past. Manulife Financial generously provides the $5,000 cash prize that accompanies the award.

"We are most grateful to the Governor General and Canada's History Society for helping the CHA give scholarly research greater exposure," said Michel Duquet, Executive Director of the Canadian Historical Association. "Well-researched and well-written Canadian history can educate and inspire Canadians. And I can't think of a more worthy setting than the Governor General Awards to recognize the valuable work of historians."

Three new awards are being created and will be presented for the first time this year. They include the newly unveiled Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Museums - History Alive! Award which will be presented to the Centre des sciences de Montréal for their exhibit titled, 'All Hands to Battle! Life in the Port of Montreal'. Their virtual exhibition yielded never before released images of the untold story of the importance of the port of Montréal during the Second World War.

"We are very proud to award this first Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Museums to the Montréal Science Centre for its innovative project Branle-bas de combat. This unique project brings to life the people that lived and worked in the old port of Montréal during the Second World War in a very dynamic way," says John G. McAvity, Executive Director of the Canadian Museums Association. "Thanks to the close collaboration between the centre's personnel and the Montréal community, the stories presented in this interactive exhibition are now accessible to a whole new audience."

Two Governor General's History Awards for Excellence in Community Programming will also be awarded to recognize the initiatives of volunteer-led heritage, community and cultural organizations. The inaugural recipients are the St. Joseph and Area Historical Society for a community theatre production entitled 'Narcisse: The Father of the St. Lawrence Seaway' and the Société d'histoire de Saint-Basile-le-Grand which organized a community seniors oral history project that sparked a summer long festival of local history presentations and photo exhibits of public story-telling. The recipients and their respective organizations will be receiving cash prizes totalling $3,500 as well as a medal and artistic plaque provided by Canada's History Society.

Announcements of the students and teacher recipients continue throughout the coming weeks and profiles of all the recipients will be available at CanadasHistory.ca/GGAwards by December 5, 2011.

The Governor General's History Awards bring together museums, community organizations, writers, historians, students, teachers, and media producers to celebrate as well as learn from each other. The day prior to the award ceremonies, recipients will participate in a public history forum at Library and Archives Canada. This year's Canada's History Forum - 'Speaking of History: How History is Explored Beyond the Classroom' is presented by Enbridge Inc. It is open to the public to attend for free onsite or online by registering at CanadasHistory.ca/HistoryForum2011.

In total, twenty-one Canadians will be honoured at Rideau Hall as part of the Governor General's History Awards presentations. Recipients and Honourable Mentions for five of the eleven awards were announced today. They include:

The Governor General's History Award for Popular History - The Pierre Berton Award - 'J'ai la memoire qui tourne' - produced by Guylaine Maroist and Eric Ruel, two filmmakers from Montréal, for their multi-media project about the history of Quebec.

The Governor General's History Award for Scholarly Achievement - The Sir John A. Macdonald Prize - Michel Ducharme, a professor from the University of British Columbia, who authored Le concept de liberté au Canada a l'epoque des Revolution atlantiques (1776-1838).

Honourable Mentions for the 2011 Sir John A. Macdonald Prize include:

Shelagh Grant (Trent University, Peterborough, ON) - Polar Imperative: A History of Arctic Sovereignty in North America.
Sean Mills (Toronto, ON) - The Empire Within: Postcolonial Thought and Political Activism in Sixties Montreal.
Joy Parr (University of Western Ontario, London, ON) - Sensing Changes: Technologies, Environments and the Everyday, 1953-2003.
Joan Sangster (Trent University, Peterborough, ON) - Transforming Labour: Women and Work in Postwar Canada.

The Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Museums - The History Alive! Award - Centre des sciences de Montreal for their exhibit entitled 'All Hands to Battle! Life in the Port of Montreal'.

Honourable Mentions for the 2011 History Alive! Award include:

Canadian Museum of Civilization for their Expedition: Arctic exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (Gatineau, QC). This project revisits the triumphs and tragedies of the Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913-1918 and added immensely to the understanding of Canada's Western Arctic and the cultures of its First Peoples. It features over 250 artefacts and specimens.

Grey Roots Museum and Archives for The Good People Know Our Stories, Know Us (Georgian Bluffs, ON). This exhibit highlights 15 traditional Anishnabek stories, each of which contains morals, lessons and insight into what it means to be Ojibwa.

Strathcona County Museum and Archives for 100 Years Ago in Strathcona County Historical Vignettes (Sherwood Park, AB). The goal of this multimedia project is to enhance the promotion of the County's history and heritage to students, parents, educators and the community by stimulating their interest with brief stories about local heritage.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum for Voices from the Canada Aviation and Space Museum (Ottawa, ON). This project is a documentary series that set out to bring back the spotlight on and capture the first hand accounts of the exploits of some of the men who left their mark on Canada's aviation history.

The Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Community Programming - St. Joseph and Area Historical Society for a community theatre production entitled 'Narcisse: The Father of the St. Lawrence Seaway' and Société d'histoire de Saint-le-Grand for 'Les Grands Basilois'.

Honourable Mentions in Community Programming were awarded to:

Herstories Café - a series of public lectures presented in the Toronto area.
Fort McLeod Museum - an education program 'The Redcoats are Coming'.
Les Fouilles - an archaeology-based public interpretation program.

About Canada's History Society

Canada's History Society is a national charitable organization devoted to popularizing Canadian history. In addition to presenting the Governor General's History Awards, it publishes Canada's History (formerly The Beaver) magazine, and Kayak: Canada's History Magazine for Kids. The Society also produces a number of educational and online programs to encourage more discovery, celebration, and understanding about our rich history and culture. More details can be found at CanadasHistory.ca.

About Canadian Historical Association

Founded in 1922, the Canadian Historical Association/Société historique du Canada is a bilingual scholarly organization dedicated to research in all fields of history; it is the largest association of its kind in Canada. The CHA/SHC oversees a vigorous publication program; it lobbies governments, archives, and museums in Canada and elsewhere on issues relating to the preservation and availability of historical records; it organizes an annual conference in which historians showcase their research; it supports graduate students pursuing degrees in history; and it offers a number of prizes to recognize and promote excellence in historical scholarship.

About Canadian Museums Association

The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of Canada's museum community. The CMA works for the recognition, growth and stability of the sector. Canada's 2,500 museums and related institutions preserve our collective memory, shape our national identity and promote tolerance and understanding.

Towers of Time: Ontario an illustrated presentation of Post Office buildings

GUELPH HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS - CANADA’S FORGOTTEN NATIONAL PROJECT

Guest Speaker: Marc Boileau
Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Lecture Starts: 7:30 p.m.
New Location: Norfolk Street United Church, 75 Norfolk Street Guelph, Ontario

The illustrated presentation is based on the book, Towers of Time: Ontario (Looking Back Press).

It examines the post Confederation inventory of Post Office buildings in Ontario. Their architectural styles vary but reflect some common themes and their histories are linked. Area buildings featured in the analysis include both Guelph former Post Offices; Galt, Preston and Hespeler; Kitchener and Waterloo together with others from Ontario.

The analysis uses additional examples from Canada for the national context. Dr. Boileau will have copies of Towers of Time: Ontario available for sale at the lecture. The price of the book is $24.00, taxes included.

Marc Boileau currently teaches biology at the University of Guelph. He is also a software engineer, entrepreneur and history enthusiast. He has traveled widely in the USA, Europe, Africa and throughout Arctic Canada. Dr. Boileau has published one book, multimedia titles, and numerous research and popular articles. In his leisure time he builds, rides and occasionally races motorcycles.

CHANGE OF LOCATION: In celebration of Norfolk Street United Church’s 175th anniversary, the lecture will be held at Norfolk Street United, corner of Cork Street and Norfolk Street. Please use the Cork Street entrance to the church hall

Christmas at the Poor House at Wellington County Museum and Archives

photo credit: Ken Russell

ABOYNE, Ontario November 25, 2011 - Wellington County Museum and Archives – Opening December 1, discover our special holiday exhibit: Christmas at the Poor House from its earliest years to 1930.

Built in 1877 as a refuge for destitute men, women and children, the original site of the House is the present location of the County Museum and Archives.

When the Poor House opened in December 1877, a special Christmas meal was prepared for the inmates: a dinner of roast beef and plum pudding. Over the years, concerned individuals,
churches and community groups sought to brighten the season for those less fortunate.

“The Poor House was always a part of the community, especially at Christmas time when people visited, brought small gifts and entertained the residents,” stated Curator Susan Dunlop.

If these walls could speak what stories they would tell about the men, women and children who found refuge at the House. Through artifacts and images learn what it meant to be part of Christmas at the Poor House.

The exhibit runs until January 6, 2012.

The Wellington County Museum and Archives is located on Wellington Road #18 between Fergus and Elora. The galleries are open weekdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and 12:00 to 4:00 pm on weekends and holidays.

WELLINGTON COUNTY MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES

0536 Wellington County Road 18
Fergus, Centre Wellington,
Ontario, CANADA N1M 2W3
T 519.846.0916 x 5221
TOLL FREE: 1.800.663.0750 x 5221

www.wcm.on.ca

Provincial plaque commemorates First Regular Baptist Church

DRESDEN, Ontario, November 21, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Yesterday, the Ontario Heritage Trust and the First Regular Baptist Church unveiled a provincial plaque to commemorate the First Regular Baptist Church, Dresden.

The plaque reads as follows:

First Regular Baptist Church, Dresden

The First Baptist Church of Dawn - established by former slaves and free African Americans in the 1840s - held its meetings in private homes, then in a log chapel at the British American Institute. In the 1850s, a Baptist congregation met on Main Street in Dresden, until a lot was purchased from parishioner George Johnson on the present site. A church was built by the congregation and the inaugural service of the First Regular Baptist Church was held on November 15, 1857. Reverends William P. Newman and Samuel H. Davis, the church's "founding fathers," were prominent abolitionists and former British American Institute headmasters. Newman raised much of the funding, and Davis oversaw the construction of the church, donating 100 cords of wood to pay for the sawing of the lumber, which forms the original structure of the chapel to this day. For generations, the church has been an integral part of community life in Dresden. Today, it stands as a testament to the faith, fortitude and determination of these early pioneers.

Yesterday's unveiling ceremony took place at First Regular Baptist Church in Dresden, where the provincial plaque will be permanently installed.

The Ontario Heritage Trust unveiled this provincial plaque as part of its program to commemorate the International Year for People of African Descent, made possible with funding from the Government of Ontario. The Ontario Heritage Trust's Provincial Plaque Program commemorates significant people, places and events in Ontario's history. The Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.

Canadian Government Supports Important Upgrades to the Yukon's George Johnston Museum

TESLIN, YUKON, November 17, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Cultural and historical artifacts that chronicle the history of Yukon and its people will be protected and preserved, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. This was announced today by Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament (Yukon), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

This investment will support the renovation and revitalization of the historic George Johnston Museum, located at Mile 804 along the famed Alaska Highway. Structural improvements will include stabilizing the building's foundation, repairing damaged ceilings, and levelling the floor. Mould removal and moisture proofing are among the interior enhancements that will help protect the museum's significant collection of Inland Tlingit artifacts.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in important cultural institutions like the George Johnston Museum," said Minister Moore. "By supporting these upgrades, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage."

"The George Johnston Museum has been bringing enjoyment to the residents of Teslin and beyond for many years," said Mr. Leef. "The Museum brings to life an important part of our long and storied history. We want residents and visitors to Yukon to experience Canada's diverse cultural heritage in the best possible way."

"When it comes to rural museums, Teslin's George Johnston Museum is one of the true jewels," said Carolyn Allen, Secretary-Treasurer of the Teslin Historical and Museum Society. "This funding from the Government of Canada will ensure our many artifacts will not suffer because of foundation and moisture issues."

The George Johnston Museum, founded in 1973, is owned and operated by the Teslin Historical and Museum Society, a non-profit heritage organization run by a volunteer board of directors and local history enthusiasts. The Museum is named for the late George Johnston, a celebrated photographer, trapper, trading post operator, and Elder of the Inland Tlingit.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $50,455 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.

Canadian Government invests in Orillia Museum of Art and History

ORILLIA, Ontario, November 9, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) will be able to increase exhibits and educational programming for visitors in a newly renovated, accessible building, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. This was announced today by Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament (Simcoe North), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Upgrades to the historic Sir Samuel Steele Memorial Building, where the museum is located, will enable the museum to host a greater number of exhibits. In addition, it will add a new space for group heritage activities, increase its storage space for collections, and make the building accessible for the disabled.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in local organizations like the Orillia Museum of Art and History," said Minister Moore. "By supporting these renovation projects, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage."

"I am proud of our Government's investment in this project, which supports Orillia's art and history," said Mr. Stanton. "This community will have greater access to historical collections and to local Canadian art, while also creating jobs and stimulating our economy."

"We are thrilled that the Government of Canada is supporting the Orillia Museum of Art and History's long term goal of renovating and expanding the significant and historical Sir Samuel Steele building," said Jane Sorensen, Acting Chair of the Board. "This grant will enable OMAH to expand its programs and exhibit space, which will enhance the richness of arts and culture in our community."

The Orillia Museum of Art and History, established in 1999 as a non-profit heritage organization, hosts a collection of about 9,400 historical items and approximately 350 works of art. Its mandate is to collect, conserve, educate, exhibit and participate in the cultural life of the community. The museum features Canadian artists and historic exhibits, as well as exhibits by area artists and regional private collections.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $975,000 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays. This funding is in addition to $150,000 provided under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund for the initial phase of renovations in 2004.

Canadian Government Invests in Belleville's Glanmore National Historic Site

BELLEVILLE, Ontario, November 10, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Access to artifacts and architecture that are significant to Canada's history will be preserved, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. This was announced today by Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament (Prince Edward-Hastings), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

With this funding, the City of Belleville will support the renovation and rebuilding of the Glanmore National Historic Site. Through this project, the museum will ensure the safety and preservation of the museum's collection for future generations.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in cultural facilities like the Glanmore National Historic Site," said Minister Moore. "By supporting these infrastructure projects, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage."

"I am pleased to see our Government invest in this historic site in Belleville," said Mr. Kramp. "The preservation of the Glanmore National Historic Site's painted ceilings and the continued access to this heritage space is important to our community's cultural vitality."

"The City of Belleville has the responsibility of preserving and presenting the Glanmore National Historic Site for the people of Canada. This contribution will allow us to stabilize and restore the original hand-painted plaster ceilings on the main floor that are currently at risk," said Neil Ellis, Mayor of the City of Belleville. "The assistance of the Government of Canada with this project is essential and greatly appreciated."

The Corporation of the City of Belleville owns and operates the Glanmore National Historic Site, which was awarded its designation in 1969 for its outstanding example of domestic Second Empire architecture. The site operates as a year-round museum and contains many of the original 1883 home's domestic artifacts and paintings. The museum's collection includes period furniture, decorative arts, and paintings of national significance, as well as 18th and 19th century European art, jewellery and silver, and 400 lighting artifacts depicting the history of illumination.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $130,000 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.

Canadian Government Invests in Canada's History

Guelph Macdonald Stewart Community Art Centre photo credit: fadedgenes/via Flickr

OSHAWA, Ontario, Nov. 9, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Museums and related institutions in Ontario will be able to continue to tell Canada's story and share art and heritage collections, thanks to investments from the Government of Canada. Colin Carrie, Member of Parliament (Oshawa), made this announcement today at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

With this funding, Ontario heritage institutions and workers will continue to preserve and present heritage collections and develop, display, and circulate exhibitions of significance to all Canadians.

The Government of Canada is supporting 21 projects from organizations including the Homer Watson House & Gallery, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Algoma University, the Peterborough Museum and Archives, the City of Niagara Falls, and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in the preservation of our history," said Minister Moore. "By supporting these projects in Ontario, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and allow better access to our heritage, arts, and culture."

"With these investments, communities in Ontario and beyond will have greater access to our heritage," said Mr. Carrie. "By supporting these organizations, our Government is safeguarding Canada's treasures and contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of Ontario."

The Government of Canada has provided total funding of $974,350 through the Museums Assistance Program. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.

Museum Assistance Program

The Museums Assistance Program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.

Toronto Art Gallery of Ontario $30,000 (2011-2012) $47,400 (2012-2013)
Toronto University of Toronto - Justina M. Barnicke Gallery $148,850 (2011-2012)
$169,150 (2012-2013)
Toronto Ontario Museum Association $42,800 (2011-2012)
Toronto Ontario Association of Art Galleries $35,700 (2011-2012)
Kitchener Homer Watson House & Gallery $11,790 (2011-2012)
Thunder Bay Thunder Bay National Exhibition Centre and Centre for Indian Art $69,510 (2011-2012) $21,090 (2012-2013)
Meaford Corporation of the municipality of Meaford $10,600 (2011-2012)
Ottawa Corporation of the city of Ottawa $19,300 (2011-2012)
Toronto Centennial Centre of Science and Technology $18,950 (2011-2012)
$3,450 (2012-2013)
Niagara Falls City of Niagara Falls $3,600 (2011-2012) $30,700 (2012-2013)
Kingston Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation $6,000 (2011-2012)
Oshawa Robert McLaughlin Gallery - Hairstyles and Fashions in Quebec: Portraits of Women, 1790-1860 $12,400 (2011-2012)
Oshawa Robert McLaughlin Gallery - William Brymner: Artist, Teacher, Colleagues $13,900 (2011-2012)
Toronto Art Gallery of Ontario $9,660 (2011-2012)
Kleinburg McMichael Canadian Art Collection $15,000 (2011-2012)
Guelph Macdonald Stewart Community Art Centre $29,500 (2011-2012)
Cayuga Lower Grand River Land Trust $9,900 (2011-2012)
Kitchener The Museum - Ideas Transcending Objects Fund $11,500 (2011-2012)
Peterborough Peterborough Museum and Archives $14,800 (2011-2012)
Sault Ste. Marie Algoma University $102,950 (2011-2012) $49,550 (2012-2013)
Toronto Canadian Museum of Carpets and Textiles $36,300 (2011-2012)

TOTAL: $974,350

Canadian War Museum Launches Mobile Application

OTTAWA, November 9, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Canadian War Museum has launched a free mobile application that invites iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad users anywhere in the world on an interactive tour of over two dozen of the Museum's most notable features and artifacts.

Owners of these popular handheld devices can use the mobile application to obtain one-stop access to information about the Canadian War Museum from anywhere in the world. The tour showcases 28 Museum features and artifacts, including objects that bring to life some of the monumental events in Canada's military history. Each stop includes images and a short audio commentary. Visitors can also take a fun quiz to test their newly-acquired knowledge.

"The Museum has a mandate to preserve and present our national military history," said James Whitham, Acting Director General of the Canadian War Museum. "The new mobile application enhances the experience not only for our visitors, but provides access to the artifacts and stories within the Museum to Canadians from coast to coast to coast."

The application also provides all the information needed to plan a visit to the War Museum, including interactive floor maps and information about hours of operation, admission fees and public services. Visitors can now use their mobile devices to learn more about key areas such as Memorial Hall and Regeneration Hall, as well as important artifacts like Major General Isaac Brock's tunic and the collection of pictures painted on the front of Second World War aircraft, also known as "Nose Art".

The application was developed by the War Museum with the assistance of Tristan Interactive, a Canadian company specializing in multimedia tours using mobile technologies.

"We are proud that the Museum chose Tristan's state-of-the-art technology to help their visitors better understand Canada's past," stated Chris McLaren, CEO of Tristan Interactive.

Users can download the application for free from iTunes here

The Canadian War Museum is Canada's national museum of military history. Its mission is to promote public understanding of Canada's military history in its personal, national, and international dimensions.

For more information visit www.warmuseum.ca. Follow us on Twitter

EMC Heritage Trust Project Grant to Help Library Digitize and Preserve Largest Collection of Canadian Company Annual Reports

C.B. "Bud" Johnston Library collection includes the histories of Canadian Tire Inc. and Labatt Breweries of Canada

TORONTO, November 10, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - EMC Corporation today announced the C.B. "Bud" Johnston Library, part of The University of Western Ontario Libraries, was one of eight organizations worldwide receiving an EMC Heritage Trust Project grant through the company's Information Heritage Initiative program. Through the initiative, EMC has donated more than $20 million to date to help advance the preservation and accessibility of information heritage. The 2011 grants will support projects that digitize, protect and improve access to cultural information in communities around the world.

"This is the fourth year of the EMC Heritage Trust Project and the fourth time we have had at least one Canadian organization receiving a grant," said Michael Sharun, Managing Director of EMC Canada. "Preserving Canada's heritage plays an important role in maintaining our cultural identity and EMC is proud to support organizations seeking to make this country's past more accessible."

"Photographs, ancient writings, letters, film, music and visual art are all part of the world's information heritage. Yet many of these historical treasures are at risk of disappearing," said Bill Teuber, Vice Chairman, EMC Corporation. "Through the EMC Heritage Trust Project, we are dedicated to helping local community organizations worldwide preserve and protect these historic artifacts so that future generations can continue to enjoy and learn from them."

The C.B. "Bud" Johnston Library houses the largest collection of Canadian businesses' annual reports in the country. The US$10,000 Heritage Trust Project grant will be used to help digitize the collection and make it more accessible to researchers.

"Our library is shifting from being a storehouse for printed material to being more of a knowledge centre for the Richard Ivey School of Business, which is also part of The University of Western Ontario," says Joyce Garnett, University Librarian. "The goal is to allow people to better interact in a digital environment and digitizing the annual report collection will be a big step forward in achieving that goal."

The Canadian Annual Reports Collection encompasses more than 6,300 firms, dating back as far as 1867. The Libraries' collection includes the annual reports and other documents of two iconic Canadian companies - Canadian Tire Inc. and Labatt Breweries of Canada, now part of Anheuser-Busch InBev. The reports are of value not only because of the financial record they provide of individual companies, but also because they present a view of the social and cultural thoughts from the past and the corporate stories of individual companies.

Digitizing the collection not only makes it more accessible; it helps protect the collection from damage or theft.

The EMC Information Heritage Initiative program was formalized in 2007 to recognize organizations and individuals that protect and preserve invaluable cultural information from around the world through digitization, allowing readily accessible online research and education. Using the same criteria for excellence that guide this initiative and deployed in local communities, the EMC Heritage Trust Project was created to recognize and support people and projects that practice and inspire the digital stewardship of the world's information heritage. For 2011, EMC received 95 applications from 19 countries for grant consideration.

The EMC Heritage Trust Project grant recipients were selected based on the following criteria: potential size of the audience that would benefit from access to this information; the at-risk status of the information and why it is urgent to digitize; and how significant the EMC grant would be to the overall success of the project.

For more information on the EMC Heritage Trust Project, please visit: www.EMC.com/heritage_trust.

About EMC

EMC Corporation is a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service. Fundamental to this transformation is cloud computing. Through innovative products and services, EMC accelerates the journey to cloud computing, helping IT departments to store, manage, protect and analyze their most valuable asset - information - in a more agile, trusted and cost-efficient way. Additional information about EMC can be found at www.EMC.com.

EMC Canada (www.EMC2.ca), headquartered in Toronto with seven offices from coast to coast, is a wholly owned subsidiary of EMC Corporation.

Canadian Government Invests in the Fanshawe Pioneer Village

LONDON, Ontario, November 10, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Visitors will be able to enjoy historical experiences year round at Fanshawe Pioneer Village thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. This was announced today by Ed Holder, Member of Parliament (London West), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

With this investment, the London and Middlesex Heritage Museum—owner and operator of London's Fanshawe Pioneer Village—will design and construct the Spriet Family Visitor Centre. The construction project will result in a modern facility with increased collection storage space and new exhibition and public spaces. Once completed, the Village will be able to offer year-round exhibitions and programming, including an exhibit on the impact of the War of 1812.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in projects that commemorate important historical events and provide opportunities for Canadians to celebrate our shared history," said Minister Moore. "By supporting Fanshawe Pioneer Village, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage."

"I am delighted to see our Government support the expansion projects of Fanshawe Pioneer Village," said Mr. Holder. "This investment will enable the facility to offer year-round exhibitions and programming and provide our community with memorable historical experiences."

"We are truly thankful for the incredible support shown by the Government of Canada to the Spriet Family Visitor Centre," said Gord MacKenzie, Chair of the BIG ON HISTORY! Capital Campaign Cabinet. "This significant contribution stands as a fine example of Canadian support for an important regional project and emphasizes the essential role of Fanshawe Pioneer Village in the preservation of our past for future generations."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $1,000,000 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.

Old Time Radio Researchers Group

Back in middle decades of the 20th century, radio ruled the roost as millions tuned in each week to listen to the adventures of Little Orphan Annie, the Lone Ranger, and a multitude of soap operas.

The
Old Time Radio Researchers Group (OTRR) is a community of fans and avid listeners who work to preserve, restore and share the classic shows from what is "commonly known as the 'Golden Age of Radio' (1930-1960)".

Visitors with an interest in the history of old time radio will want to make a beeline for the
"Publications" page. Here they can find thousands of radio scripts for programs such as "Abbott and Costello", "Father Knows Best", and "Dragnet". Additionally, they can look over magazine articles from "Radio Dial" and articles by radio historians Jack French and others.

Other sections on their website worth a visit include "OTR Art", which contains historical images of radio celebrities, disc covers, and other original artwork, and "Radio Times", the OTR group’s monthly online magazine. [KMG]

>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout 1994-2011.
http://scout.wisc.edu/

An Ontario Veterinary College pioneer will reach a special milestone this week.

photo credit: ovc1950OVC’s Class of 1950 is pictured on the steps of War Memorial Hall, with Joan (Belcher) Budd the lone woman in the front row, and one of only two women in the entire class.

Community celebrates Dr. Joan Budd’s 100th birthday

GUELPH, Ontario November 7, 2011 - Ontario Veterinary College - News Release

Dr. Joan Budd, a member of the Class of 1950 and the first female veterinarian to hold a faculty position at OVC, turns 100 on Nov 9.

Dr. Elizabeth Stone, OVC dean, will host a birthday party honouring Joan and her contributions to OVC on Wednesday.

Althought the OVC had ceased to be an all-male bastion in 1924, the “old guard” was still very much present when Budd first applied to the college after high school.

“At the time, they told me veterinary medicine wasn’t a suitable career for a woman, so I went into teaching,” Budd recalled in an article published in the fall 2011 issue of The Crest.

But after teaching in rural Manitoba and serving in the Second World War, she was accepted into OVC. Following graduation, she completed graduate work in virology at the University of Wisconsin, then joined the OVC faculty the following year. During her career, she made a number of important contributions to the study of diseases in fur-bearing animals such as mink as well as fish.

Over the years, she has remained actively involved in the life of OVC and spends her summers on Manitoulin Island.

Canadians will continue to have access to a comprehensive, national, historical online dictionary thanks to support from the Government of Canada

TORONTO, November 7, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ -. Funding was announced today at the University of Toronto by Paul Calandra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament (Oak Ridges-Markham), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online provides users with reliable, easily readable accounts of the lives and times of the individuals who contributed to Canada's history, and currently includes over 8,400 biographies in French and English, covering Canadian history from 1000 to 1930.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in important projects like the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online," said Minister Moore. "By supporting this online tool, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our communities and ensure our history is understood and appreciated by Canadians for generations to come."

"I am pleased that our Government continues to support such a useful resource for students, teachers and anyone else hoping to enhance their knowledge about Canada and its history," said Parliamentary Secretary Calandra. "With this tool, Canadians are simply a few clicks away from learning more about our country's heroes and the way they have helped shape today's Canada."

"We are thrilled that the Government of Canada is showing continued support for this most worthy resource, led by researchers at the University of Toronto and Université Laval," said University of Toronto President David Naylor. "This free, highly accessible, and authoritative dictionary reaches beyond academia to the broader Canadian public, forming the basis for ongoing dialogue around our shared history and experiences."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $3 million over 3 years through the Canadian Studies Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program encourages Canadians to gain a better understanding of their country, its history, stories, people and systems of Government.

Sprucing Up a Rooster, an English Cathedral Goes Fairtrade Gold

photo credit: © chichester cathedral

from TreeHugger.com
by Bonnie Alter
Green Architecture

It's Fairtrade gold, it's a cockerel and it's a beauty. Chichester Cathedral in Chichester, England has erected a Fairtrade gold weathervane at the top of its 279 ft. spire.

The rooster, gilded in Fairtrade and Fairmined gold from Peru, is 40 years old and has been given a new shining coat of gold leaf.




Installing it was no easy feat. The team of steeplejacks climbed 205 steps and then a 146 ft. ladder to install the 3 foot bird.

The gold was supplied by CRED, an ethical jeweller and sourced from the Sotrami mine in Peru. It then was sent to Italy to be turned into gold leaf. Gold leaf is unbelievably delicate and difficult to work with: it is 8 microns thick (a micron is 1/1000 of a millimetre).

Weathervanes are the oldest method of weather prediction, dating back to 3500 BC. Their design is the essence of simplicity and practicality. They must be perfectly balanced on a rotating axis and located on the highest point, where the wind can blow freely. As they spin, the end with the least surface area turns into the wind, and thus indicates the wind direction.

Why the cockerel (rooster)? Apparently in Rome it was "declared that every church in Christendom must be adorned by a cockerel, a symbol to remind Christians of Peter’s betrayal of Christ: "I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me." (Luke 22:34)." Plus roosters are a common farm animal and easily recognized.

The Dean of Chichester, explains why the project is so important:

Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold provides a lifeline for thousands of impoverished and exploited miners in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. If every jeweller, and indeed every customer, were to insist on only gold sourced in this way then thousands of small scale miners, and their communities, would be guaranteed a better future. The cost of this project has been borne by a private donor to whom we are very grateful, but the wider ambitions of Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold are priceless.

The gold was supplied by CRED, a Chichester based jeweller and to their credit (!), the first ethical jewellers in the UK and Europe to sell certified FairTrade gold and ethically sourced stones.

More on Fairtrade Jewellery

UK Jewellers Signing Up to Use Fairtrade Gold
Handmade Eco Jewellery Hits the Mainstream
Ethical Weddings Fairtrade Fortnight Challenge

Read the full story at TreeHugger.com