A Nation Going Through A Time Of Change

Continuing on with this tour at the Canadian Museum of History. Tommy Douglas was a political leader at the provincial and federal level, a premier of Saskatchewan from 1944-61. His policies there for universal healthcare would be a precursor for the concept at a federal level. 

The post war years would be times of momentous change in society. Fashion and culture were part of that.

A digital display allows one to call up a variety of music from the era, which plays and displays the lyrics of a given song. In this case, a great Canadian- Gordon Lightfoot.

The 1960s saw the flag debate in the country. Canadians had been largely using the Union Jack or the Red Ensign, but the government under Lester Pearson advocated for a distinctly Canadian flag. In the end, over 1200 designs were considered.

The idea of a single maple leaf on the flag would be chosen, and Pearson wanted to see some prototypes actually sewn and flown from his flagpole. This sewing machine is the one used to make the one we know today, courtesy of the daughter of a civil servant, as she did the work.

This elegant dress was made by the daughter of a Canadian diplomat for the centennial year. Marjorie Gehls' family was posted in the American south, and she made this dress to attend various functions with her parents that year. Now it calls the Museum home.