"Tales of pioneer hardship and deprivation have been told many times. Yet still we remember in wonder, that people accomplished so much with so little; that men and women with simple tools, their bare hands, and their own inventiveness cleared the land, drained the swamps, made their own clothing and provided their own food. Through all these difficulties God was with them and they wanted their children educated intellectually and spritually." from Norfolk Street United Church history

Monday, December 23, 2013

New Museum Exhibit to Feature 50 Years of U of G History


GUELPH, Ontario - December 23, 2013 - University of Guelph News Release - Beekeeping, the Branion Plaza cannon and fake poop will all come together as part of an exhibit celebrating the university’s 50th anniversary.
The exhibit, organized by students in U of G’s Museum Project courses, will be on display at the Guelph Civic Museum from early January until the anniversary celebrations in June. On the exhibit’s opening day Jan. 4, Don O’Leary, vice-president (finance and administration), will host a university levee at 2 p.m. at the museum.
Guests may don a beekeeper’s outfit, check out the Gryph mascot and the “cannon,” and view the Sanders portrait, believed to be the only likeness of William Shakespeare painted from life. Also on display will be the “robo-gut,” a lab assembly by Prof. Emma Allen-Vercoe, Molecular and Cellular Biology, that makes synthetic feces for studying gut bacteria.
Touch screens will feature videos of other University research projects.
It has taken more than a year to put together the exhibit, said Sue Bennett, director, university and community relations, who teaches the museum project courses.
“We’ve had three courses, so different students were involved throughout. In the first course, they researched potential ideas. They interviewed people and designed the plan and model for the exhibits in the second course, and in the last course, created the exhibits in studio,” she said.
“So we aren’t moving the cannon. The students created a replica, complete with painting it. They also built displays, including cases for some items, such as skeletons from the Ontario Veterinary College.”
The students, who are all in arts programs, learned about the University, said Bennett.
“They found out about our history in arts and also about our scientific achievements, such as our work with zoonotic diseases -- diseases that transfer from animals to people -- or with DNA barcoding. They also learned about the university’s work in international development. I think in some cases they were surprised at how much the university has done.”
Those lessons will be valuable in their careers, she said.
“They now know the process and all the jobs that go into creating an end product and about all aspects of arts administration. I liked seeing them understand how to make history come alive, bringing meaning to the university and showing what we have done in the past.”
The students made the exhibits in components for ease of transport among venues, so the displays can be reused, all while staying within budget. They spent extra hours outside of the classroom creating the materials.
Bennett hopes community members will visit the exhibit.
“Even if you never attended the university, U of G and the community have always been intrinsically engaged and connected with each other. We share common goals, including developing community, health and wellness, and the environment, and each have a focus on food. This exhibit will show how the university and the community have worked together to change the world.” 

Friday, December 20, 2013

Art Deco and the Decorative Arts in the 1920s and 1930sMontreal

Montreal Eatons' Restaurant on the 9th floor, ca.1931
 
This celebration of Art Deco and the decorative arts was lovingly crafted by the specialists at McGill University's Library.

The original in situ exhibit that accompanied this site was crafted for the 10th World Congress on Art Deco.

Here, visitors can browse through the images from the collection organized into categories that include Bon Voyage, Montreal Leisure, Interior Design, and Book Illustration.

Visitors should not miss The Exhibition area as it features a thematic essay about the famous 1925 Paris Exposition International des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, which set the design world on fire with its promises of modernity and beautiful living.

Visit the site at: http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/artdeco/index.php


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

Monday, December 16, 2013

Government of Canada Launches New Call for Proposals for Projects to Conserve Canada's Historic Places


Nathaniel Dett British Methodist Episcopal Church
Niagara Falls, Ontario

OTTAWA, December 16, 2013 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Government of Canada is continuing to support communities in the preservation of the country's national historic sites. The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced the Government's renewed commitment to Parks Canada's National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program with the launch of a call for proposals under the program.

"Since 2009, our Government has funded a total of 132 projects across the country for the conservation of non-federally owned national historic sites," said Minister Aglukkaq. "Through these projects, we have injected $17.7 million into local communities, while recognizing the importance of conserving and presenting our history for future generations of Canadians."

Through this program, up to 50% of eligible costs incurred in the conservation and presentation of a national historic site are reimbursed, up to a maximum of $100,000. For the year 2013-2014, 17 projects were funded throughout the country.

"The success of this unique program is the result of a strong and efficient partnership with local organizations," added Minister Aglukkaq. "I heartily invite owners of national historic sites across the country to submit their conservation proposals to help us collectively continue protecting and presenting Canada's history, while at the same time stimulating the economy and tourism, and developing local know-how."

Eligible recipients are non-profit organizations, aboriginal organizations and other levels of government that are owners or eligible lessees of national historic sites. The funded projects aim to address the most critical needs of the national historic sites such as stabilization, restoration and repairs to structures of national historic significance. Submissions must be received before Jan 27, 2014.

Parks Canada works to ensure Canada's historic and natural heritage is protected and, through a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites and four national marine conservation areas, invites Canadians and people around the world to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery at our country's treasured natural and historic places.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Government of Canada Invites Canadians to "Have Your Say" On Canada's 150th Celebrations


TORONTO, December 11, 2013 - The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today launched pan-Canadian consultations to seek Canadians' views on how they would like to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
“Canada's 150th celebrations will give us the opportunity to reflect on all the things that make Canada the united, prosperous and free country it is today,” said Minister Glover. “I invite all Canadians across our great country to tell us how they would like to celebrate in 2017.”
The Government of Canada will undertake extensive consultations, with meetings being planned throughout Canada.  The consultations kicked off today with a roundtable in Toronto, where Minister Glover met with community leaders to discuss their perspective on Canada's approaching milestone anniversary. Additional roundtables in other communities will be announced at a later date.

At the same time, Canadians are invited to participate in the consultations through an online questionnaire at Canada.ca/150 or Canada150.gc.ca.

Over the next four years, on the Road to 2017, celebrations will mark key historic milestones that have defined our country.  In 2014, commemorations will include the centennial of the start of the First World War, the 75th anniversary of the start of the Second World War, the bicentennial of Sir George-Étienne Cartier's birth and the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Québec Conferences.

To learn more about the commemorations leading up to Canada 150 and to participate in the online forum visit Canada.ca/150 or Canada150.gc.ca.

Canadian Museum of History Act Receives Royal Assent



OTTAWA, December 12, 2013 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, is pleased to announce that the legislation to create the Canadian Museum of History passed the Senate and received Royal Assent. Bill C-7, which amends the Museums Act, changes the name and mandate of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation.

"I am delighted that, by the time we celebrate Canada's 150th birthday in 2017, Canadians will have the Canadian Museum of History to learn more about our history and the achievements that define who we are as Canadians," said Minister Glover.

The progressive transformation of the museum will take place over the next four years and will provide a number of opportunities to celebrate Canada's history in the lead-up to 2017. More than half of the Canadian Museum of Civilization's permanent galleries will be renovated.

The Canadian Museum of History is also leading the establishment of a network that will connect history museums across this country for the benefit of all Canadians. Through these partnerships, the Canadian Museum of History will make our national collections accessible to as many Canadians as possible.

The Government of Canada is providing a one-time investment of $25 million to assist the museum in its transformation.

The purpose of the Canadian Museum of History is to enhance Canadians' knowledge, understanding and appreciation of events, experiences, people and objects that reflect and have shaped Canada's history and identity, and also to enhance their awareness of world history and cultures.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

CBC Digital Archives: On This Day



The Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) celebrates and documents all aspects of Canadian life and its online resources are most useful and entertaining.

This corner of its Digital Archives site, On This Day, is definitely worth a close look.

From here, visitors can scan 366 days of key moments in Canadian history. Each day has a particularly unique event, complete with a short video clip, a Did You Know? bonus feature, credits, and a citation.

If so desired, visitors can search all of the features via the "All Clips From This Topic" tab.

December is a particularly rich month as it includes investigations into the ban on happy hours in Ontario and the canonization of the first Canadian-born saint.

Visit the site at: http://www.cbc.ca/archives/onthisday/december.html

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