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history

Hot Art: Historic Photographs by Leonard Frank at Vancouver’s Teck Gallery

“First Cars of Lumber Shipped from West Coast to Vancouver Island, Port Alberni, BC, June 22, 1912″ by Leonard Frank, courtesy The Leonard Frank Photos Studio Fonds and Jewish Museum & Archives of BC, LF.38813

See the BC of yesteryear through the eyes of a famed photographer in Leonard Frank: Beautiful British Columbia, at Teck Gallery (to Jan. 4). The German-born Frank travelled throughout the province in the early 20th century, snapping thousands of photographs that document workers developing our great land through logging, railways and milling operations (pictured).—Kristina Urquhart

All About Whistler Village’s History

Photo courtesy Tourism BC

Vancouverites sometimes complain about the two-hour drive to Whistler—despite the fact that the highway winds through the most gorgeous scenery on the planet—but two hours is nothing. Back in the early 1900s, the journey required a steamer ship from Vancouver to Squamish, then two days by horse. The trek didn’t deter visitors, however, and the area grew in popularity as a resort destination. In 1966, Garibaldi Whistler Mountain (as it was known back then) opened with a single gondola, chairlift and day lodge. The town tried repeatedly over the years to host the Olympics, finally succeeding with the 2010 Winter Games. Today, Whistler Blackcomb is consistently rated the top ski resort in North America by industry magazines. For more about Whistler’s local history, visit the Whistler Museum.—Sheri Radford

Hot Art: BC Electric Railway Celebrates its Centennial at Centre A Gallery

“The tram news stand and coffee shop illuminated at night in the BC Electric Building at 425 Carrall St.,” by James Crookall. Courtesy City of Vancouver Archives AM640.CVA 260-778, 1937

History buffs brush up on local lore in TO | FROM BC Electric Railway: 100 Years at Centre A (to Nov. 10). This group exhibition highlights the centennial anniversary of the BCER building, former transit hub in which the Centre A gallery is now located. Six contemporary artists explore how the building (pictured) and its history has affected the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood through photos, film and multimedia installations.—Kristina Urquhart

6 Must-See Quebec City Museums

By SHANNON KELLY

Maison Chevalier (Photo: genevieve.ducret)

Quebec is one of Canada’s oldest cities, founded in 1608, and arguably the best preserved, so doing at least one museum on your trip here is essential. Explore French-Canadian and native history, art and even 17th-century medical technology at these fascinating museums in a fascinating city. At the very least, they can provide a respite from the summer heat! (more…)

The Fairmont Château Laurier’s Centennial Celebration: What’s in Store

The historic Fairmont Château Laurier is celebrating its anniversary with a series of fun and fascinating events taking place in the coming months.

One of Ottawa’s most recognizable landmarks celebrates its 100th anniversary this spring. The Fairmont Château Laurier first opened its doors on June 12, 1912, although it was originally slated to open on April 26. An interesting fact that people might not know is that just days before the hotel’s original opening date, the man who commissioned the Château Laurier, Charles Melville Hays, died aboard the Titanic on April 15. Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier, for whom the hotel was named, and who also helped the Château Laurier acquire its property, opened the hotel instead. With its prime location in the heart of the city, only steps away from Parliament Hill, the Fairmont Château Laurier has played host to a century of political deals and many of Ottawa’s visiting celebrities. From rock stars to political figures, its guest list has included Shirley Temple, Billy Bishop, Roger Moore, Bryan Adams, Nelson Mandela, and more.

In honour of this historic landmark reaching the big 100, the hotel is offering some fun events in the upcoming months: (more…)

Revisiting the Titanic 100 Years Later in Halifax this Spring

Fairview Lawn Cemetery, the resting place of 150 Titanic victims (Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

April marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic 375 miles off the Newfoundland coast in 1912. Events in Halifax, a city that played a key part in the tragedy, will commemorate the event’s centennial. (more…)

Hot Shopping: Hot Heritage at The Bay

Heritage-inspired silk scarves at The Bay

The Bay continues to delight both fashion fiends and collectors with the reimagined Hudson’s Bay Company Collection. An item sure to tempt history buffs is the historic-looking charter scarf (pictured, $125 each). Every one of these silk kerchiefs features an intricate sketch of Canadian history on an archive scroll—textbooks be damned—and comes in warm yellow, blue and red.—Jennifer Patterson

Restored 1919 Film Gives Rare Historic Glimpse of Arctic Life in Canada

Still from 1919 film Romance of the Far Fur Country (Photo courtesy of the Hudson's Bay Company Archives)

Some of the earliest footage of northern Canada—a silent black-and-white film documenting a 1919 Hudson Bay Company expedition—has been restored to a full-length documentary. The film had been gathering dust in a London archive for 50 years but was recently restored and is being shown in select Canadian towns and cities. (See clips of the original footage.) (more…)

Hot Art: Hiroshima History at Vancouver’s Museum of Anthropology

#88 by Ishiuchi Miyako "Wristwatch," 2010/2010 C-type print, 335 x 230, Okimoto S.

August 6, 1945. It’s a date not forgotten by many, but a Japanese photographer aims to document it for posterity with her 48 moving images of everyday objects left behind by the victims of the atomic bombing at Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. Photos of these ownerless belongings, including a wristwatch (pictured), give a personal take on the event in hiroshima by Ishiuchi Miyako at the UBC Museum of Anthropology (to Feb. 12).—Kristina Urquhart

Explore Nova Scotia, Circa 1934

Back in 1934, Nova Scotia’s selling points for vacationers included dustless highways (ah, luxury!) and 22 golf courses (it has 80 today) among many of the natural and historic attractions it still showcases, like Louisburg and Cape Breton Island.

It was, to quote the Official Motor Guide of Nova Scotia, a place where you could “Generally Enjoy Your Holiday In a Sportsman’s Paradise.” Plus, in 1934 you could pick up this guide to Nova Scotia for a mere dollar.

This and other historic Nova Scotia guidebooks are viewable online at the Nova Scotia Archives. Browse the entire 136-page 1909 Sporting Guide to Nova Scotia, the 24-page Storied Halifax (1917), and the pamphlet 7 Days in Halifax, which advises visitors of the wide range of dinner prices in that city in 1930: from 50¢ to $1.50.

You Are Here: Old Strathcona

Image courtesy of Noel Zinger

With over 600 eclectic, independent and alternative shops and services to explore, it’s little wonder Old Strathcona is regarded as the place to experience Edmonton’s finest live theatre and music, boutique shopping, dining and nightlife. Read on for some of our top spots in this historical district and then visit www.oldstrathcona.ca for even more. (more…)

Canada’s Best New Attractions for Summer 2011

Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

For travellers planning their summer trips in Canada this year, the regional editors of Where magazine have released their top picks for summer travel. The winners of Where Canada’s Best New Attractions for Summer 2011 represent the most exciting attractions – new, significantly improved, or celebrating major milestones this year. A diverse group of attractions from coast to coast, this year’s winners offer a wide range of activities and events suitable for any family, art lover, sports fanatic, nature lover or adventurer. Together, these attractions serve as the top must-see and must-dos for anyone travelling in Canada this summer. (more…)