Canadian Government Helps Commemorate the War of 1812 in Haldimand County

CAYUGA, Ontario, July 30, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - An investment from the Government of Canada will encourage Canadians to learn more about the War of 1812 and its significance in shaping the Canada we know today. Funding for Haldimand County was announced today by the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Member of Parliament (Haldimand-Norfolk), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

With this support, Haldimand County will undertake a variety of educational activities that will highlight local War of 1812 history. Activities include the creation of a map of War of 1812 sites found in the county, an 1812-themed Heritage Day workshop, and a re-enactment of the Battle of Nanticoke that will be streamed live in schools to allow for interaction between students and re-enactors.

"The 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is one of the defining moments in our history that will lead us to Canada's 150th birthday in 2017," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians. On the road to 2017, let us continue to celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, prosperous, and free country we are today."

"Our Government understands the importance of educating Canadians of all ages about the historical significance of the War of 1812," said Minister Finley. "With this investment, we hope to encourage Canadians, especially our young people, to take pride in our traditions and our shared history."

"Haldimand County has a significant story to tell with regard to the War of 1812," said Don Boyle, Chief Administrative Officer, Haldimand County. "We are excited to take part in these initiatives that will help us tell Haldimand's story and wish to thank the Government of Canada for the grant award."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $22,000 to Haldimand County through Canadian Heritage's War of 1812 Commemoration Fund. The Fund supports community-based projects to foster greater awareness and understanding of the importance of this conflict.

Visit 1812.gc.ca to learn more about the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

Retired University of Guelph Professors' Book Reviewed in Globe And Mail

GUELPH Ontario July 26, 2012 - University of Guelph - In the News

A new book on Lucy Maud Montgomery edited and introduced by retired University of Guelph professors Mary Henley Rubio and Elizabeth Hillman Waterston has received a positive review in the Globe and Mail.

The Complete Journals of L.M. Montgomery The PEI Years, 1889-1900 presents the full text of Montgomery’s journals of that period along with a selection of photographs, clippings and captions. The book is considered "a welcome addition to our knowledge of Montgomery’s life and legacy" and supplements the first volume of The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, published in 1985.

Retired from U of G’s School of English and Theatre Studies, Rubio is a recognized Lucy Maud Montgomery expert, having been asked by Montgomery’s son, Stuart Macdonald, to edit his mother’s personal journals. She has authored and edited many books about Montgomery, such as The Gift of Wings, an intimate narrative based on extensive interviews with people who knew Montgomery best. The book was shortlisted for the 2009 British Columbia National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction, Canada’s largest literary non-fiction award.

Rubio has hosted many international scholars who come to use U of G's renowned L.M. Montgomery Collection -- Montgomery's original journals, scrapbooks, photographs, needlework pieces, papers and personal library. Montgomery's son sold the journals and scrapbooks to U of G in 1981, shortly before his death.

University Professor Emerita Waterston also is a leading authority on the life and writings of Montgomery, author of the Anne of Green Gables series. Waterston's book Magic Island: The Fictions of L.M. Montgomery explores the Anne stories, drawing parallels between Montgomery’s personal life and professional career and the characters in her novels. Along with Rubio, Waterston edited The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery and wrote the short biography Writing a Life: L.M. Montgomery. Waterston taught literature at U of G for more than two decades and was inducted into the Royal Society of Canada last year. She was also named to the Order of Ontario, considered the province's most prestigious honour.

British Museum Channel

British Museum Channel - If you can't make it to the British Museum, why not peruse some of its great programs via this website?

The materials here cover excavations of unique objects, ongoing play performances at the Museum, and audio recordings of talks and lectures.

First-time visitors should look through the Events area, which contains talks about the life of Egyptologist Jean-Francois Champollion and the world of Antony and Cleopatra.

Moving on, the Object Stories area contains the Talking Objects collection. These videos features young people talking about what some of the storied items in the Museum mean to them.

Additionally, the Exhibitions area features previews of recent exhibits like "Treasures of Heaven: Saints, Relics, and Devotion in Medieval Europe" and "Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman."

Visit the site at: http://www.britishmuseum.org/channel.aspx

>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout 1994-2012. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Canadian Government Invests in War of 1812 Commemoration in Hamilton

HAMILTON, Ontario, July 24, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada, the City of Hamilton will have the opportunity to hold War of 1812 commemorative activities that will pay tribute to the city's heritage and boost local tourism. This was announced today by David Sweet, Member of Parliament (Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

With this support, the City of Hamilton plans to commemorate the soldiers who fell during the Battle of Stoney Creek. The City will re-inter the remains that were discovered on municipal lands into a crypt at the Smith's Knoll Battlefield Cemetery, and the surrounding grounds will be landscaped to include interpretive stone pathways. Once this is complete, the City will host a commemorative event to honour these soldiers and give them a proper burial.

"Canada as we know it today would not exist had the British troops, Canadian militia, and First Nations and Métis allies not joined together to defend our borders," said Minister Moore. "The 200th anniversary of their fight for Canada is an unprecedented opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about this important part of our past and to take part in many of the activities and events that will pay tribute to these heroes."

"We are proud to help commemorate the defining moments in our history—including the history that took place in our own backyard with the Battle of Stoney Creek—and to tell the story of the Canada we know today," said Mr. Sweet. "I invite everyone from the Hamilton area and from across Ontario to join us in commemorating the heroic efforts of our ancestors."

"Smith's Knoll was the site of the most desperate fighting during the Battle of Stoney Creek in 1813. It is fitting that this is the site where we commemorate those who fell in the battle and where we remember the horror of war and the value of peace," said Anna Bradford, Director of the Tourism and Culture Division, City of Hamilton. "We thank the Government of Canada for their support of this project."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $130,300 over two years through Canadian Heritage's War of 1812 Commemoration Fund. The Fund supports community-based projects to foster greater awareness and understanding of the importance of this conflict.

Visit 1812.gc.ca to learn more about the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

Canadian Government Invests in Heritage Preservation in Richmond

RICHMOND, BC, July 19, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - An investment from the Government of Canada will allow the history of the former village of Steveston - now part of the city of Richmond - to be preserved for generations to come. This was announced today by the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament (Richmond), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Funding will enable the Richmond Museum Society to complete a collections management project at the Richmond Museum from January 2 to March 31, 2013. The Society will purchase and install specialized storage units to manage artifacts from the Steveston Museum collection and integrate artifact location records into the Museum's digital collections management system. With the ability to properly catalogue and retrieve any of the 5,000 artifacts quickly and efficiently, the Society will ensure long-term public access to the collection.

"This year marks the start of the five year countdown to Canada's 150th birthday in 2017," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians. On the road to 2017, let us continue to celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, prosperous and free country we are today."

"Richmond is a diverse community with a fascinating history," said Ms. Wong. "This exhibit allows us to preserve some of the most important aspects of the past, while enabling the Richmond Museum Society to take advantage of modern technological advancements. Because of this investment, the Steveston Museum collection will be accessible for years to come."

"We appreciate the support provided by the Government of Canada to help us preserve these important historical artifacts," said Keith Lidtke, Chair of the Board of the Richmond Museum Society. "This new storage facility and digital archive will increase access to the artifacts by researchers, exhibitions, and the public."

The Richmond Museum is accessible to the public through a wide range of collections, exhibits, and public programming. The Society aims to increase awareness and appreciation of Richmond's diverse history and heritage. Its collection holdings include archaeology, ethnology, and artifacts related to the agricultural and commercial history of the area.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $49,130 through the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This 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.

From Robert Bateman to the Group of Seven, Canada comes alive on new Royal Canadian Mint collector coins

Addition of Canadian Coast Guard 50th anniversary and War of 1812 themes blends history with the celebration of our natural and cultural heritage

OTTAWA, July 16, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is pleased to announce a summer blockbuster of new coins featuring an abundance of themes and designs capturing Canada's wealth of national symbols and stories. This treasure trove of new collectibles includes the very first coins designed by Robert Bateman, Canada's dean of wildlife art, whose multiple renditions of the moose are dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. His iconic designs can be found on $2500 pure gold and $250 fine silver kilo coins; a $300 platinum coin; a $200 pure gold coin and a $20 fine silver coin. In all, 20 new collector products are being launched in one of the most ambitious releases of the year.

"The choice of themes and symbols by which we can celebrate Canada is as broad as its geography and the Mint is delighted to offer its customers at home and abroad a continuous variety of finely crafted collectibles," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Canada's historic, cultural and natural heritage is one of our greatest national treasures and it is fitting that the Mint continues to preserve these priceless elements of our identity on so many captivating collector coins."

Two of the newest Mint products now available to the public celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Canadian Coast Guard in 1962. The famed heavy icebreaker CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent is featured on a $20 fine silver coin designed by maritime artist Yves Bérubé , inspired by the artist's own sighting of this famous Coast Guard vessel when it once came to rescue him from an ice-bound ship. Shipping later this year but available for order now, a cupronickel 25-cent coloured coin celebrates the Canadian Coast Guard in action with bold images of red and white vessels and aircraft.

The Mint is also pleased to continue the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 with a $10 fine silver coin featuring HMS Shannon, which includes selective gold plating of a cameo of the famed ship's figurehead. As well, new kilo issues; a $2500 gold and $250 silver coin feature an imposing reproduction of the classic design of a King George III Peace Medal awarded to Britain's aboriginal allies.

Also available as of today are:

...the second issue of $20 fine silver coin from the Group of Seven series featuring Arthur Lismer's Nova Scotia Fishing Village;
...a new "Crystal Dew Drop" $20 fine silver coin featuring the Rhododendron;
...a new 1/25 oz Gold Coin celebrating the 150th anniversary of British Columbia's Cariboo Gold Rush:
...the $10 Fine Silver Praying Mantis featuring the work of the 2012 Canadian Geographic Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner;
... the special edition silver Loonie celebrating the 25th anniversary of Canada's one-dollar circulation coin;
...a new scallop-shaped, 99.999% pure gold Blessings of Good Fortune coin featuring the Giant Panda and the newest Fine Silver Maple of Good Fortune with hologram;
...the new $1 and $2 Circulation Security Test Token Set; ...the 2012 Special Edition Specimen Set featuring Wolf Cubs; and
...the 2012 Holiday Gift Set designed by renowned Canadian graphic artist Gary Taxali, whose signature work can also be found on the Mint's annual gift sets and Tooth Fairy coin card.

Mintages, pricing and full background information on each of these products can be found at the "Shop" tab of www.mint.ca.

All of the these products are available directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca. The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, as well as through our global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2008 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca

Google Art Project

The Google Art Project is an ambitious effort to bring many of the world's great artworks together on one well-organized and designed site.

First-time visitors may wish to use the "How to Use the Site" video in the FAQ section to get oriented to how things work here.

Currently, there are 151 partners working with Google on this ambitious effort, including the Acropolis Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, and The Toledo Museum of Art.

All told, there are over 30,000 works of art on the site. Many of these are organized into virtual tours, all of which are worth exploring.

On the homepage, visitors can browse via the Collections, Artists, Artworks, and User Galleries tabs. Visitors have the option to create their own gallery where they can compile their own well-curated collections for future reference and aesthetic pleasure. [KMG]

Visit the site at: http://www.googleartproject.com/

>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout 1994-2012. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Happy 200th Birthday, War of 1812!

A primer on America’s most bumbling, most confusing,
and most forgotten conflict.

War of 1812 Bicentennial: Why does no one remember the war that made Andrew Jackson famous? - Slate Magazine via kwout

You Can't Put a Price on History!

Black Creek Pioneer Village 'Kids Free Days'
Makes Canadian History More Accessible Than Ever

TORONTO, July 3, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - As part of an exciting promotion, Black Creek Pioneer Village will be featuring Kids Free Days, Monday to Friday, for the months of July and August. Kids 15 years of age and younger will receive free admission to the Village with the purchase of an adult or senior admission. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, with a limit of four kids per paying adult. Promotion excludes Camps, Daycares, and Organized Groups. This offer is not valid with any other coupons, promotions or offers.

"Preserving Canada's history is very important to us," said Chris Bagley, General Manager of Black Creek Pioneer Village. "Generating and stimulating an interest in our history is the best way to preserve it, especially amongst the youth. We want to encourage the next generation to take an interest in Canada's roots, and keep the history alive."

Kids Free Days at Black Creek Pioneer Village will feature a wide variety of daily activities, including tours of historic buildings, hands-on experiences with interpreters, farm animals, games, and much more.

For more information, please visit http://www.blackcreek.ca/v2/visit/admission.dot#kidfree

About Black Creek Pioneer Village

Black Creek Pioneer Village is Toronto's premier outdoor living history museum. Visitors can explore heritage homes and buildings restored to re-create an 1860s Ontario village. Historic interpreters in period dress demonstrate how villagers lived, worked and played. The Village hosts learning programs and special events that highlight local heritage and culture. The tranquil setting, rural landscapes, heritage gardens and period farm animal breeds make Black Creek Pioneer Village the perfect place to break out of the modern world and journey into the past. Located in north Toronto, Black Creek Pioneer Village is owned and operated by Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA). For more information please visit www.blackcreek.ca.