A Day For Colonel By

Two links before getting started today. I did a guest post for Molly Jo about the position of the Canadian Governor-General and Rideau Hall at her blog. And have a peek at the City Daily Photo home page, where yours truly was featured.

This past weekend was exceedingly busy in Ottawa, with the busker festival and Colonel By Day on the holiday Monday. Today we'll start looking at things, with the Civic Holiday. Here in the Ottawa area, the occasion is named in honour of Colonel John By, the British military engineer who designed and oversaw the construction of the Rideau Canal waterway, linking Ottawa to Kingston, from 1826-32. Today his achievement is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What was first Bytown became Ottawa, and so he is considered the founder of the city. Here at the Ottawa Locks, where the Canal meets the Ottawa River, activities were underway.

This included a blacksmith showing the old techniques of the trade.

It also included Parks Canada tables, such as one with models of Ontario reptiles.

This traditional design canoe was close by, with animal shapes etched into the sides.

Walking down the pathway to the Bytown Museum, I paused to take in the view. There were re-enactors on the scene.

The Bytown Museum is housed in the Commissariat, the storehouse first built by By's crews as a headquarters and warehouse during the building of the Canal. It's a local museum, but because of its location in the shadow of Parliament Hill, parts of the national story can be found here.