More heritage happenings!

A milestone summer continues to be highlighted by local heritage happenings!On August 15th, our team was pleased to meet so many people at the Macdonald Gardens Park heritage designation celebration, hosted by the Lowertown Community Association.  Opened in 1914, the park has become a cherished community green gathering space, capped by its landmark hilltop pavilion.

And on August 17th, I was delighted to give congratulatory remarks and help cut and serve up cakes at the Enriched Bread Artists launch of “Cut the Cake – Celebrate!” supported by the Ottawa 2017 Arts, Culture and Heritage Investment Program (ACHIP) co-stewarded by our Council, AOE Arts Council and Ottawa Arts Council.  The two cakes also seemed apropos, with both EBA and our Council marking our 25th Anniversaries during this Sesquicentennial year.

It was exciting to see the blending of cake-inspired archival research and artistic creations captured on film and projected onto the heritage building that was the Standard Bread Company factory.  Together with community workshops and cake story sharing, it’s proved to be a real recipe for success!

Then on August 25th, I had the pleasure of giving complimentary words at another ACHIP project launch:  the Canadian Film Institute’s Ottawa:  Cinema Capital, at Ogilvy Square.  The series of screenings celebrates Ottawa as the first hub of Cinema in Canada, and will showcase films of various types, from documentary, to horror, to recent works.  This first, outdoor screening showcased an Ottawa Home Movies Reel, including great footage of past city views, special events, streetcars and trains. It was a special treat to meet 93 year old Connie Nozzolillo who contributed footage of/from the steam train to Wakefield – which will run no longer. Enjoy the full reel.

We hope to see you at other upcoming events:

– Unveiling of artwork by Cozyn Van Heuveken, for the Lost Stories Project, a Canada 150 Signature Event.  The project, lead by Carleton University, will commemorate the role the former Southway Inn fittingly filled as an arrival gateway for many Inuit from the North.  September 7th, 4:00-5:30 pm at the Waterford Retirement Community (2431 Bank Street); and

– ‘Dief the Chief: October 62’, performed by popular Ottawa actor Pierre Brault, at the Diefenbunker. September 14-16 and 22-23.

As we head into a busy Fall season also, another reminder to register for the National Trust/APT Conference in Ottawa, October 11-14 and the Ontario Museums Association Conference in Kingston, October 11-13.