Remembering the Real Winnie: The World's Most Famous Bear Turns 100

Ryerson University to host new exhibition to celebrate Canada's connection to Winnie-the-Pooh

TORONTO, Ontario April 17, 2014 /Canada NewsWire/ - Did you know that the world's most famous literary bear - Winnie-the-Pooh - was inspired by a real Canadian bear? This fall, a new exhibition will celebrate the 100^th anniversary of this remarkable true story.

At the onset of the First World War, a Canadian soldier and veterinarian named Harry Colebourn made a pit stop at the train station in White River, Ontario where he met a trapper that was selling a bear cub.  An animal lover, the Captain bought the cub for $20, and named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg. Winnie traveled overseas with Colebourn's regiment, becoming a proud mascot and beloved friend to the other soldiers.  When it became time to go to the front lines in France, Colebourn donated Winnie to the London Zoo in England, where she became the inspiration for author A.A.Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh.

"The story of Harry and Winnie is a love story set against a very dark time in history and is a powerful reminder of the impact that one small loving gesture can have in this world," said Lindsay Mattick, Harry Colebourn's great granddaughter.  "Winnie has played an important role in many people's childhoods and I am very excited to get to share the historical items that bring to life the real tale behind the fictional ones."

The new exhibition entitled, Remembering the Real Winnie: The World's Most Famous Bear Turns 100 will open to the public at Ryerson University on October 25^th, 2014 and run until November 15^th, 2014. It will explore the themes of veterinary practice during World War I; military life at camp and at the front; as well as the genesis and popular legacy of Winnie-the-Pooh. The central feature of the exhibition will be Harry's never before displayed wartime diaries which will provide the narrative through-line; they will be displayed at intervals throughout the exhibition in order to carry the viewer from 1914 when Harry leaves for England to 1919 when he donates Winnie to the London Zoo. The exhibition will also feature items from the Colebourn family collection such as Harry's veterinary tools and photographs.

"Literary and Canadian history were forever changed in a moment when Harry Colebourn made his historic purchase," said Ryerson President Sheldon Levy.   "We are thrilled to be exploring the cultural significance of that moment in a way that only Ryerson can - through an innovative approach that allows our various departments to collaborate and bring to this collection to life in a way that is thought provoking and meaningful." 

The exhibition, which will be hosted by the Ryerson School of Image Arts and the Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, is the result of a multi-disciplinary team that has explored the history through multiple perspectives. 

Beyond the exhibition, the history of Harry and Winnie will be explored in an upcoming children's book (to be released in 2015 by Little Brown in the U.S., Harper Collins in Canada).  Film rights to the book have been acquired by Hollywood production company RatPac Entertainment. 

Exhibition Teaser Video: http://youtu.be/V5aOQfsCeU0

Parks Canada and Canadian Canoe Museum Consider Potential Relocation of Museum to Peterborough Lift Lock

Collaboration would boost tourism and sustainability

OTTAWA, Ontario April 9, 2014 /Canada NewsWire/ - Parks Canada and the Canadian Canoe Museum are exploring an innovative idea of relocating the museum to the Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site on the Trent-Severn Waterway as a way to boost the tourism and revenue potential for both organizations.

The construction of a new museum at this location would consolidate two significant tourism and recreation destinations in the region and offer enhanced opportunities for Canadian families, including the opportunity to better explore the canoe's history in Canada and enjoy the diverse water-related programming and associated activities that can be offered by the museum at this historic location.

Parks Canada and the Canoe Museum will now enter into detailed negotiations to determine the terms of the potential partnership. This joint project would aim to increase visitation and offer new opportunities that would support each organization's mandate and their financial sustainability.

This project demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to work with partners and communities to help canals be a premier tourism destination, generate revenue, foster recreation and economic development, and ultimately build strong communities and support Canadian families. For the Canoe Museum, this initiative represents the potential fulfillment of a long-cherished aspiration - the relocation to a new water-based site that will enable wider and more extensive programming.

Quick Facts

• Parks Canada and the Canadian Canoe Museum have signed a Letter of Intent to formalize their collaboration.
  
• The Canadian Canoe Museum Redevelopment Project Feasibility Study identified the Parks Canada location as the preferred destination for the new Museum.
  
• This initiative would bring new economic growth with new construction projects as well as create additional employment and business opportunities for the Trent-Severn Waterway. The construction of the new museum may include a building of 80,000 square feet and space for a gift shop, a restaurant and a meeting room facility to accommodate up to 250 people.
  
• The relocation of the museum at the Lock 21-Perborough Lift Lock historical site would unite two of Peterborough'smajor tourism attractions, providing water access for the museum's programming activities as well as preserve Canadian heritage of canoes and other related watercraft.

Quotes

"The collaboration of Parks Canada with the Canadian Canoe Museum demonstrates our government's support for creating quality tourism and recreation opportunities on the Trent-Severn Waterway that will lead to stronger communities, opportunities for families and ultimately more sustainable canal operations."

Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"We are delighted to be collaborating with Parks Canada to bring the Canadian Canoe Museum and its nationally significant collection and related programs to the water. The Peterborough Lift Lock location allows us to unite two ofPeterborough's major tourism attractions, providing water access and preserving the heritage of Peterborough as the national 'shrine' celebrating canoes and other related watercraft."

Ken Powell, Chair, Board of Directors, Canadian Canoe Museum