Société Macdonald-Cartier Society Celebrates Colonel By Day in Ottawa
on Jul 28 in Latest Press Releases by adminFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Société Macdonald-Cartier Society Celebrates Colonel By Day in Ottawa
Organization to participate in exhibit celebrating the founding of Ottawa, Ontario
OTTAWA, ON. July 29, 2011 – The Société Macdonald-Cartier Society has been confirmed as an exhibitor at Ottawa’s Colonel By Day, a celebration of Lt-Colonel By, founder of Bytown (now Ottawa) who oversaw the construction of the Rideau Canal. The annual festival, held at the Bytown Museum and Ottawa Locks, is a free heritage festival featuring musical performances, vibrant costuming and interactive exhibits.
Launched last summer by the Society, the ‘Save Wellington Street’ campaign celebrates the history and heritage of Ottawa’s oldest street, Wellington Street. The participation in this year’s Colonel By Day festivities marks a new milestone in the campaign. The Society will present an exhibit titled ‘The Duke, The Colonel and the Canal’ that will highlight the important connections between the Duke of Wellington, Lt-Colonel By and the Rideau Canal.
The Society’s exhibit will present visitors with visual materials such as articles, letters and maps that will illustrate the history of Wellington Street and its significance to our Nation’s Capital. The materials depict how the Duke played a major role in Canadian society, having drafted a defence plan for the colony and personally choosing the location of the Canal.
Reflecting on the Duke’s contributions, Immanuel Giulea, founder of the Society, said “Following the War of 1812, the threat of hostilities with the Americans remained a concern for the Duke. Had he not insisted that Canada’s defence on Lake Ontario depended on a secure supply route between Kingston and Montreal, away from the American border, the Rideau Canal would not have been built”.
Colonel By Day celebrations are part of the weekend-long Rideau Canal Festival. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has said of the festival, “The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands apart as one of our most iconic and precious landmarks. This Festival is a remarkable opportunity for residents and tourists to connect with the Canal, and value its significance to the nation’s capital.”
The Colonel By Day heritage festival begins opening ceremonies at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 2, 2011 and runs until 4:00 PM at the Bytown Museum and Ottawa Locks located between Parliament Hill and the Chateau Laurier. A representative from the Société Macdonald-Cartier Society will be available throughout the day.
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The Société Macdonald-Cartier Society is one of Canada’s most dynamic youth-led non-profit organizations. Its mandate is to educate young leaders about Canadian history, heritage and culture; increase their level of civic literacy; and bring their voices and ideas to the nation’s public policy discourse.
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Immanuel Giulea, Founder and Executive Director, at immanuel@macdonaldcartier.org or 514-577-2669.
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