Capital Chronicles

THE WRIGHTS, 225 years later.
The Aylmer Heritage Association's upcoming event on November 16 at 10am.
"The conference will trace the early settlement of the region; the settlers’ lifeline (the Ottawa River and the portage trail that became the Aylmer Road); and the lives of those whose efforts laid the foundation for the thriving city of Gatineau today."
Two separate talks will be offered, in English followed by French in the afternoon.
To register for FREE, please click here: https://bit.ly/the-wrights

COME SEE a real square TIMBER RAFT up close, today, at the Galeries d'Aylmer. My good friends Alexandre Pampalon and Isabelle Regout will be giving a conference at 11 am in the Lucy Faris Library, hosted by the STEAMPUNK FESTIVAL. The raft will be in the mall all day with Alexandre and Isabelle there to answer any question you may have. They are the creators of the Maison des Cageux - Columbo 1806 and are Canada's leading experts on the Timber Industry.
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VENEZ VOIR de près un vrai CAGE de BOIS EQUARRI, aujourd'hui, aux Galeries d'Aylmer. Mes bons amis Alexandre Pampalon et Isabelle Regout donneront une conférence à 11 h à la bibliothèque Lucy Faris, dans le cadre du FESTIVAL STEAMPUNK. La cage sera présente dans le centre commercial toute la journée et Alexandre et Isabelle seront là pour répondre à toutes vos questions. Ils sont les créateurs de la Maison des Cageux - Columbo 1806 et sont les plus grands experts canadiens de l'industrie du bois.

A sad moment. Jérémie Giles, artist, sculptor and historian, has died. I was humbled to have met him when he asked a friend for a signed copy of my book and he bestowed on me his personal archive of documents on Philemon Wright. He leaves a significant impact in our community and a lasting legacy of monumental art. RIP.
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Un moment de tristesse. Jérémie Giles, artiste, sculpteur et historien, est décédé. J'ai eu l'honneur de le rencontrer lorsqu'il a demandé à un ami un exemplaire dédicacé de mon livre et qu'il m'a confié ses archives personnelles sur Philemon Wright. Il laisse un impact significatif dans notre communauté et un héritage durable d'art monumental. RIP.

We will be hosting an OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, August 18 from 1pm to 4pm. Please feel free to share. Drop by for a visit!
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Nous organisons une journée PORTES OUVERTES le dimanche 18 août de 13h à 16h. N'hésitez pas à partager. Passez nous voir !

3 Storey for sale, commission-free, in Gatineau (Aylmer). Take a look! This vintage home is set well back from the street in a much sought-after vibrant River community. The wraparound stone front porch and welcoming patio are idyllic outdoor spaces, and just steps from the shore of the Ottawa River. This home is walking distance to schools, churches, the Aylmer marina...

Back by popular demand, The Canada Day Walking Tour with More Curious History (updated for 2024). If you like curious history you'll love this tour. Read it now or download the text to guide your walk. Enjoy and Happy Canada Day, everyone!

Ottawa - a Walking Tour for Canada Day with some more Curious History You should plan instead to take a proper, socially-distanced walk - or a virtual one, using this guide - around downtown Ottawa.

Today is a good day for celebration and for reflection. Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day!

Cripes! Greeting myself at the Fairbairn House in Wakefield. My "Gatineau" blog being showcased until September at the Fairbairn House permanent display this summer. Such an honour and I am so appreciative of the honour.

Quebec Premier Legault's recent announcement for a proposed Museum of Quebec History.
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La curieuse annonce du premier ministre Legault concernant le projet de musée de l'histoire du Québec.

Weaponizing History With his recent announcement, Legault blatantly declares that he governs only for his Quebecers but not for all Quebecers.

Peggy and I were given the marvelous opportunity to attend an event at the Embassy of Ireland that commemorated the remarkable selflessness of our First Nations towards the plight of the starving Irish people during the potato famine in the mid 1800s. I recommend that you play this short video. It truly opened our eyes to a history we had never heard.

Much thanks to Ambassador Eamonn McKee and Mary Rae McGillis for their warm welcome to their beautiful home.

Spring brings the perfect weather to discover the ancient route of the Voyageurs on the Three Portages of the Chaudière.
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Le printemps offre une température idéale pour découvrir l'ancienne route des Voyageurs sur les Trois Portages de la Chaudière. (Blog disponible en français aussi)

The Chaudière Portages - From Paddles to Buckboards For centuries before modern "progress" arrived in the National Capital, the Great River that we call the Ottawa was itself, the superhighway

The back story of Smiths Falls. A story of intrigue, of spies and how loyalties curiously formed our Capital Area.

Mr. & Mrs. Smyth - A Spy Story Linked to our Capital Area Three elements - The War of Independence, the Rideau Canal, and the Capitals' Curious History - all come together in this tale of intrigue.