National historic sites and monuments represent important aspects of Canadian history because they indicate as well as communicate vanished cultures and architects. Historic sites and monuments are very influential our view of the Canadian past because our image of the past is a generated by the specific events or sites chosen for commemoration and the physical presentation of those sites. For many people, national historic sites and monuments provide a view of history which is implicit to their understanding of Canadian history.
National historic sites and monuments further illustrate the Canadian nation-building experience which was seen as a implantation of British derived institutions where all sectors of the population would be assimilated into a unicultural whole. National historic sites and monuments are determined through the process of cultural selection in which the histories of other groups within the country were either incorporated as supporting themes for the major nation-building story or were ignored completely. These sites and monuments were identified or categorized by themes associated with our Canadian history such as: early settlement, French regime, Aboriginal sites, British immigration, war of 1812, etc.
In Ontario, the major historic sites were associated with the war of 1812. This includes sites such as the Battle of Stoney Creek in Stoney Creek, the Battle of Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls, and the Battle of Cook’s Mills in Cook’s Mills. Notably, the reconstruction of Toronto’s Fort Georges at Niagara-on-the-Lake represented the capture of Fort George by Americans while the restoration of Toronto’s Fort York commemorated the military buildings among the oldest in Toronto that were built in 1813-1815. In addition, historic sites and monuments in Ontario were also chosen for architectural distinctions. For example, the restoration of the Barnum House in Grafton in 1940 was the first fully restored house museum in Ontario and the first-known building in Canada to be preserved solely for reasons of architectural distinction.
In Nova Scotia, Port Royal was declared a national historic site in 1924 because it was a reconstruction of the first French settlement of 1605. It contained a high level of accuracy based on surviving archaeological and documentary evidence. On the other hand, sites such as Sainte-Marie and Grand Pre presented communities in conflict with newly arrived groups.
Overall, developed historic sites and monuments represent the expansion of trade and settlement. The histories of groups other than the dominant British Canadians were relegated to supporting roles to show the conflict in which the British became the victor. They are also meant to teach cultural values to citizens of new nations because many of the sites and monuments were preserved because of their association with significant persons or events.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The History of Canadian Historical Recognition
Paul Litt's article focused on the benefits and level of achievement that Historical Markings within Ontario have. It's easy to notice these markings, they are predominately plaques that are placed around the province, and everyone who has driven on the highway has surely seen the blue and gold signs that point to an exit that holds a historical artifact on the other side. Litt states that the profiling done for specific historical sites were generally political, economic, and religiously based. These are things that are easy to identify with, and the most well known historical sites certainly fall under these categories. In following these themes however, Ontario failed to acknowledge major parts of its society and culture. Litt makes the remark that if a martian were to land in Ontario, the apparant history would be full of successful politicians, soldiers, and clerics. Since most historical plaques were established in the 20th century as well, they would also think that almost everythign significant had occurred within the 19th century. In short, it is apparant that the historical plaques give a very abbreviated and biased view of Canadian nationalism.
Plaques as a view of an overall history are also very limited. They cannot be edited easily, and the information available is extremely scarce. Litt states that there were three phases within the history of historical plaques. The first phase involved communities within Ontario dominating where the plaques were to be placed. This was a good way to get an accurate description of what Canadian Nationalism is, because although the communities may be biased and repeat what other communities have already done, it shows what is important to the actual citizens of Ontario and therefore Canada. There was also a board that decided whether the site was truly important to all of Ontario, which did not necessarily address the question of whether it protrayed Canadian nationalism, but if we are to take the stance that Canada is merely a set of regions, then this would be the correct route to take. The board also became preoccupied with showing that Ontario was not another part of the United States. This seems to solidify the thoughts that have been discussed in our seminars that all that makes us Canadian is that we are not American. The plaque project was very anti-American in almost all ways, which does not necessarily show Canadian nationalism, but a distate for American nationalism.
The second phase concerned the fact that many rights were changing in the mid 1900's, yet the plaques did not change to mirror that image. The Ontario Heritage Foundation was created in response to this, which introduced the Ontario Heritage Act. It soon became the chief operator of all things historical, and it turned its focus to the restoration of old buildings as new historical sites. For this reason, local history increased, and urban focus was diminished.
The third phase of the program called for governmental interference, with the creation of minority group recognition. Additional plaques were created that focused on such minorities, although not near as many as were originally created for the program.
Overall, I would not say that the plaque program within Ontario was successful in portraying Canadian nationalism. The program was not even able to accurately portray the Ontario landscape of multiculturalism and different historical sites, so for it to be able to accomplish this on a national level is questionable. Even though new plaques that gave notice to First Nations and women, among others, were placed within Ontario, they are still widely outnumbered by the traditional, white male version of history on the plaques. There is also limited money to fund the revision of the plaques, so it does not appear to be changing anytime soon. The program is entirely out of date, and since things in the 21st century happen very quickly, it is time to update.
Plaques as a view of an overall history are also very limited. They cannot be edited easily, and the information available is extremely scarce. Litt states that there were three phases within the history of historical plaques. The first phase involved communities within Ontario dominating where the plaques were to be placed. This was a good way to get an accurate description of what Canadian Nationalism is, because although the communities may be biased and repeat what other communities have already done, it shows what is important to the actual citizens of Ontario and therefore Canada. There was also a board that decided whether the site was truly important to all of Ontario, which did not necessarily address the question of whether it protrayed Canadian nationalism, but if we are to take the stance that Canada is merely a set of regions, then this would be the correct route to take. The board also became preoccupied with showing that Ontario was not another part of the United States. This seems to solidify the thoughts that have been discussed in our seminars that all that makes us Canadian is that we are not American. The plaque project was very anti-American in almost all ways, which does not necessarily show Canadian nationalism, but a distate for American nationalism.
The second phase concerned the fact that many rights were changing in the mid 1900's, yet the plaques did not change to mirror that image. The Ontario Heritage Foundation was created in response to this, which introduced the Ontario Heritage Act. It soon became the chief operator of all things historical, and it turned its focus to the restoration of old buildings as new historical sites. For this reason, local history increased, and urban focus was diminished.
The third phase of the program called for governmental interference, with the creation of minority group recognition. Additional plaques were created that focused on such minorities, although not near as many as were originally created for the program.
Overall, I would not say that the plaque program within Ontario was successful in portraying Canadian nationalism. The program was not even able to accurately portray the Ontario landscape of multiculturalism and different historical sites, so for it to be able to accomplish this on a national level is questionable. Even though new plaques that gave notice to First Nations and women, among others, were placed within Ontario, they are still widely outnumbered by the traditional, white male version of history on the plaques. There is also limited money to fund the revision of the plaques, so it does not appear to be changing anytime soon. The program is entirely out of date, and since things in the 21st century happen very quickly, it is time to update.
National Historic Sites in Atlantic Canada based on the Government of Canada website
The Historical Sites in Atlantic Canada are generally related to settlement and war. This can be nationalistic because it shows early devotion to settle in and claim Canada. Other historic sites include things that are unique to Canada or that Canada did first and monuments to people that contributed positively to Canada’s government or culture. Because these are Historic sites, their contribution to Canadian nationalism is mostly related to Canada’s role in the war, confederation, and government.
New Brunswick
- 8 historical sites
- All are related to either Acadians or a war.
- War monuments that are significant to New Brunswick and to Canada.
Newfoundland and Labrador
- 9 historical sites
- Most are related to Newfoundland history and culture, for example:
o Cape Spear National Historic Site of Canada: Oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland, 1836
o L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site of Canada: Only authenticated Viking settlement in North America
o Ryan Premises National Historic Site of Canada: East Coast fishing industry complex
Nova Scotia
- 23 historical sites
- Sites related to Nova Scotia culture, for example:
o Canso Islands National Historic Site of Canada: Site of fishing centre, 16th- to 19th-century
o Charles Fort National Historic Site of Canada: Site of Sir William Alexander's settlement, 1629-31
o Kejimkujik National Historic Site of Canada: Important Mi’kmaq cultural landscape
- Sites related to Canadian culture and Canada in relation to the World, for example:
o Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site of Canada: Commemorates famous inventor
o Marconi National Historic Site of Canada: Site of the first official wireless message sent across the Atlantic Ocean to England.
- Sites related to war and defence of Nova Scotia and Canada
Ontario
- 34 historic sites
- Many related to war and defence
- Many related to people who had an influence in Canada and/or the World, for example:
o Bellevue house National Historic Site of Canada: Important Italianate villa 1840's; home of Sir John A. Macdonald, Prime Minister of Canada (1867-73, 1878-91)
o Bethune Memorial house National Historic Site of Canada: Birthplace of Doctor Norman Bethune; of symbolic significance to the Chinese
- Sites related to Canadian culture in relation to the world
o Mississauga Point Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada: Site of first lighthouse on great lakes, 1804
o Mnjikaning Fish Weirs National Historic Site of Canada: Largest and best preserved wooden fish weirs known in eastern North America, in use from about 3300 B.C.
o Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada: World’s highest hydraulic lift lock, 1896-1904
Prince Edward Island
- 5 historic sites
- Sites related to Confederation
o Ardgowan National Historic Site of Canada : Residence of Father of Confederation William Henry Pope, circa 1850
o Province House National Historic Site of Canada: Neoclassical birthplace of Confederation
- Sites related to PEI and Canadian culture, for example:
o L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada: Intimately associated with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s formative years and early productive career
New Brunswick
- 8 historical sites
- All are related to either Acadians or a war.
- War monuments that are significant to New Brunswick and to Canada.
Newfoundland and Labrador
- 9 historical sites
- Most are related to Newfoundland history and culture, for example:
o Cape Spear National Historic Site of Canada: Oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland, 1836
o L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site of Canada: Only authenticated Viking settlement in North America
o Ryan Premises National Historic Site of Canada: East Coast fishing industry complex
Nova Scotia
- 23 historical sites
- Sites related to Nova Scotia culture, for example:
o Canso Islands National Historic Site of Canada: Site of fishing centre, 16th- to 19th-century
o Charles Fort National Historic Site of Canada: Site of Sir William Alexander's settlement, 1629-31
o Kejimkujik National Historic Site of Canada: Important Mi’kmaq cultural landscape
- Sites related to Canadian culture and Canada in relation to the World, for example:
o Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site of Canada: Commemorates famous inventor
o Marconi National Historic Site of Canada: Site of the first official wireless message sent across the Atlantic Ocean to England.
- Sites related to war and defence of Nova Scotia and Canada
Ontario
- 34 historic sites
- Many related to war and defence
- Many related to people who had an influence in Canada and/or the World, for example:
o Bellevue house National Historic Site of Canada: Important Italianate villa 1840's; home of Sir John A. Macdonald, Prime Minister of Canada (1867-73, 1878-91)
o Bethune Memorial house National Historic Site of Canada: Birthplace of Doctor Norman Bethune; of symbolic significance to the Chinese
- Sites related to Canadian culture in relation to the world
o Mississauga Point Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada: Site of first lighthouse on great lakes, 1804
o Mnjikaning Fish Weirs National Historic Site of Canada: Largest and best preserved wooden fish weirs known in eastern North America, in use from about 3300 B.C.
o Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada: World’s highest hydraulic lift lock, 1896-1904
Prince Edward Island
- 5 historic sites
- Sites related to Confederation
o Ardgowan National Historic Site of Canada : Residence of Father of Confederation William Henry Pope, circa 1850
o Province House National Historic Site of Canada: Neoclassical birthplace of Confederation
- Sites related to PEI and Canadian culture, for example:
o L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site of Canada: Intimately associated with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s formative years and early productive career
Historic Sites in Atlantic Canada
Yves Pelletier argued in "The Politics of Selection: The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and the Imperial Commemoration of Canadian History, 1919-1950" that during this time period, the decisions to make sites historic monuments was based on personal opinions from an elite group of men, who placed dominance on the imperial history within Canada. This was due to the fact that the original board members had personal interest in this.
There was a particular interest in the War of 1812, and the loyalists that came into Canada during the 19th century. Even after changes to HSMBC policy, there are still many historic sites dedicated to the war of 1812, and many of them still exist in the Eastern Provinces. Pelletier argued that this was because Cruikshank, one of the directors was particularly interested in this war, and making these landmark would instill more patriotism within the nation, as well as reinforcing New Brunswick's importance within Canadian History.
Looking at the national historic sites still designated within Canada, a majority of the sites in the East Coast still have to do with Colonial settlement, in particular various military establishments from 1500-1900.
There are few historic sites that look at First Nations culture and history throughout the maritimes, as well as a few sites dedicated to natural landscapes.
While after the first wave of directors at the HSMBC, the attempted to break away from the colonial historic sites, many of them remain, which still shows Canada's preference for its British and French colonial history.
There was a particular interest in the War of 1812, and the loyalists that came into Canada during the 19th century. Even after changes to HSMBC policy, there are still many historic sites dedicated to the war of 1812, and many of them still exist in the Eastern Provinces. Pelletier argued that this was because Cruikshank, one of the directors was particularly interested in this war, and making these landmark would instill more patriotism within the nation, as well as reinforcing New Brunswick's importance within Canadian History.
Looking at the national historic sites still designated within Canada, a majority of the sites in the East Coast still have to do with Colonial settlement, in particular various military establishments from 1500-1900.
There are few historic sites that look at First Nations culture and history throughout the maritimes, as well as a few sites dedicated to natural landscapes.
While after the first wave of directors at the HSMBC, the attempted to break away from the colonial historic sites, many of them remain, which still shows Canada's preference for its British and French colonial history.
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