Monday, August 14, 2017

Confederation

As I'm busy here at the moment, have a look at my writer's blog today, where I have another photo post in my Ottawa Welcomes The World embassy series set for today, this one featuring the South American country of Uruguay. Come and have a look at Uruguayan cooking, the tango, and candombe.

This formidable looking chair dates back to the 1850s, built of mahogany, leather, and horse hair. It was used by the mayor, James Friel, who presided over the transition from Bytown into Ottawa during the period.


Ottawa's choice as a capital is explored here. I like the quote from an American writer on why it was chosen, found in this panel. The sculpture of Queen Victoria certainly does catch the eye.


This formal portrait was done late in the subject's life. Sarah Olmstead, 1862, is composed by an unknown artist, showing the American born widow of Philemon Wright II, the son of the founder of what would become Hull across the Ottawa River, and is today Gatineau. Sarah married again after the death of her first husband, taking Nicholas Sparks for her husband. Sparks had been a farmhand for the Wright family, and became a landowner in his own right later on.


There is quite a bit here about Victorian era customs, such as clothing, or rituals of grieving.


Two busts in this display case feature Sir John A. Macdonald, our first PM, and Sir George-Etienne Cartier, who were both Fathers of Confederation. The desk set accompanying these belonged to Macdonald. Other items date to the Confederation era as well.


This is a print of a painting all Canadians have seen at one point or another. Robert Harris painted the original, Fathers Of Confederation, in 1884.


The sword in this case and the medals date back to the era of the Fenian Raids by Irish American veterans of the Civil War after that conflict, and the response made by the Canadian army against those incursions. That ties into where we'll start off tomorrow.

30 comments:

  1. Now I'm curious to see tomorrow's post!

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  2. Queen Victoria reigned during an important period. She chose the capital wisely.

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  3. I like the "point the finger on the map" myth!

    Janis
    GDP

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  4. ...it seems that life is all about compromise.

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  5. Now that's what I call a chair ... would be quite suitable fot me with my length, I think ... ;-)

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  6. Hello, That is some chair. I like the statue of Queen Victoria. Great exhibit. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

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  7. @Linda: Irish nationalism ties into a dark chapter of our history.

    @Kay: she certainly did.

    @Janis: I do too.

    @Tom: it was one that made sense.

    @Jan: unfortunately sitting in it is not allowed!

    @Eileen: it's quite a museum.

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  8. This were many important nation shaping events going on at the same time.

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  9. That is quite a chair, William! And I heard about the Ottawa Zoo on the news the other day. I was quite disheartened by the allegations about animal cruelty there.

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  10. I wonder if there are more statues of Queen Victoria around the world than any other historical figure, she does seem to pop up rather often doesn't she 😀 lots of interesting info here William.

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  11. That text about how Ottawa became the capital was very interesting. I learned something new!

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  12. So many interesting displays in that museum, William!

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  13. Very interesting history lessons, William!

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  14. So many interesting artifacts!

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  15. the victorian era is quite interesting!

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  16. @Red: the 1860s were quite an era for this country.

    @Linda: the Papanack zoo, yes. I've never been to it. I'm a bit divided where zoos are concerned, but that place is getting a bad rep at the moment.

    @Grace: and so often she's depicted as the grandmother.

    @Sharon: the city has quite a history behind it.

    @RedPat: it's a marvelous museum.

    @Cloudia: thank you!

    @Halcyon: there are a lot.

    @Tanya: it certainly is.

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  17. I like the fine artwork here. I enjoyed the history lesson also. Thanks William :)

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  18. That's what you would call a "high" chair.

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  19. Wonderful selection of Victorian historically significant artefacts!
    Living in Northern
    Ireland, I ve come across the Fenians in our history but did not realise they featured in Canadian history also!

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  20. very cool. what a cool time period. ( ;
    i really enjoy history of any sort.

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  21. Incredible looking chair. It was interesting learning how Ottawa became the capital. Wonderful history info, William.

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  22. Interesting exhibits. That is one formidable looking chair!

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  23. Eye catching exhibits! Very interesting.

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  24. Would you consider yourself a history buff?

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  25. That is some chair ... not too sure how comfortable it would be!

    All the best Jan

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  26. @Denise: you're welcome.

    @Revrunner: definitely.

    @Christine: they have indeed.

    @Beth: thank you.

    @Bill: thanks!

    @Mari: it is.

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  27. @Nancy: definitely!

    @Molly Jo: I found it so.

    @Norma: so do I.

    @Jennifer: Yes.

    @Jan: I haven't tried!

    @Klara: that it is.

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