Happy New Year Heritage Aficionados All!
2017 year was a special Sesquicentennial year for our Council, our Members and the greater Ottawa heritage community on so many fronts. We marked many milestone anniversaries: Bytown Museum’s 100th, Carleton University’s 75th, Algonquin College, Canada Science and Technology Museum and Heritage Ottawa’s 50th, and our own Council’s 25th. And remarkable renewals, with the reopening of the Bank of Canada Museum and Canada Science and Technology Museum.
And such successes: the Diefenbunker garnered awards from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, Ontario Museum Association, and Ottawa Tourism. The Bytown Museum, our Council and Heritage Ottawa received special recognitions during our anniversaries year. Doors Open had their biggest event ever. The Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation and Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin (The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre), were pivotal partners with the National Capital Commission in presenting the Kabeshinân Minitig Pavilion on Victoria Island and with Ottawa 2017, the Mìwàte Illumination of Chaudière Falls.
Our Ottawa 2017 Arts, Culture and Heritage Investment Program supported by CIBC and co-stewarded with AOE Arts Council and Ottawa Arts Council, also proved to be a great success. We were especially pleased with the cross-pollination of heritage and arts and involvement of some of our Members, such as the Workers History Museum and Carleton University presenting their ‘Capital Kiosks’ program and the Diefenbunker their ‘Dief the Chief: October 62’ play. Our own ‘Ottawa 150: Capital Time Capture’ initiative in partnership with the City of Ottawa Archives and Ottawa Public Library supported by Ontario 150 captured the public indeed – with 500 photo submissions.
We were pleased to promote and feature all this and more on our impressive new Ottawa heritage portal website: www.capitalheritage.ca. And, to wrap it all up in December at a special Gathering of Council / ‘PHOTOttawa150′ / Heritage Holiday Social event at City Hall, with Mayor Watson and Councillors Wilkinson and Fleury joining us. A highlight was having the Mayor and Ontario 150 funding rep Kathleen Fairine unveil panels featuring, and present framed copies of, some photos from our Facebook gallery to the photographers, who were thrilled with this honour. Selected photos are to be included in: a permanent City of Ottawa Archive, the City’s 2017 Time Capsule to be opened in 2067, and a virtual exhibit on our revamped Ottawagraphy site. Bittersweet, was saying goodbye to and recognizing the contributions of our outgoing President Julie LeClair. It was fitting that Julie and Mayor Jim should cut our 25th Anniversary cake.
We look forward to more heritage offerings and successes in 2018. Mark your calendars and join Mayor Watson and I on Tuesday, February 20th at 11:30 am at City Hall – as we celebrate Heritage Week and present Heritage Day in partnership with the City of Ottawa Museums and Heritage Programs Branch. Visit our Members’ showcase and discover how “Heritage Stands the Test of Time” (this year’s theme, as set by the National Trust) and how you can embrace and support Heritage across our region. February is also Black History Month, and March 10th brings the 36th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade, and on March 23rd, a special Commemoration Awareness Workshop we’re co-hosting with the City at City Hall – towards developing a Commemoration Policy. Spring brings the reopening of the Goulbourn Museum, fittingly, as Richmond marks its 200th Anniversary year.
We also look forward to working with our Ottawa Cultural Alliance colleagues and Ottawa’s cultural community on the ‘Arms Length Cultural Development Feasibility Study’ funded by the City of Ottawa. And, to piloting a new Capital Heritage Mentorship Program supported by the Ottawa Community Foundation; and presenting a Canadian Conservation Institute ‘Emergency Preparedness’ workshop for our Members in October. To become one of our valued Members, please visit our site.
Here’s to more great Heritage Happenings and Offerings in 2018!
Catherine Lindquist, Executive Director