This year for Historic Places Days 2023, the National Trust for Canada coordinated seven different Instagram takeovers that feature sites of significant historical and cultural importance to Canadian heritage. These takeovers highlight personal stories about the importance of community, encourage discussions about the meaning of heritage, and shine a spotlight on Canada’s diverse history and its populations. If you missed out on the takeovers when they premiered, no worries! We have amalgamated them into short videos so that you can watch them at your leisure.
On July 8th, 2023 Audrey G. visited an open house at the Maison Forget House in Montreal, Quebec. Inside she took stunning interior shots, filmed a live classical music piece, and attended a guided tour on the life of Louis-Joseph Forget, the first francophone to be elected to the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Board of Directors.
On July 15th, 2023 Owais Siddiqui, Multicultural Narratives Supervisor at Fort Edmonton Park, shared his vast knowledge of the Islamic-Canadian history and community in Edmonton and fielded some fascinating questions submitted regarding Al-Rashid Mosque — Canada’s first Mosque.
Architectural historian Irene Galea explores Toronto’s Historical Bank Architecture from the 1820’s to 1930’s.
On July 17th, 2023 Angus A. went inside the newly restored historic Papineau Chapel in Montebello, Quebec to learn about its conservation progress and the history of Louis-Joseph and the Papineau family. Closed since 2017, its doors opened once again to the public in 2023 after years of restoration work. Angus highlighted the stunning stained glass windows, and gave an exclusive look into the crypt below the chapel.
On July 21st we got an inside scoop from Curator and Museum Manager Katlyn Jones on current projects at the Uxbridge Historical Centre in Uxbridge, Ontario. Katlyn takes us through designated heritage buildings, their research room, a shed used as in a television show, and shows us how the Uxbridge Historical Centre connects with their community through events.
On July 22nd, 2023 we got our own private tour of the Bytown Museum and a fascinating insight into history the history of Ottawa. Test your knowledge of Ottawa’s history with quirky quizzes and enjoy learning about Ottawa with the charismatic Jonah. Start your journey in the Commissariat, Ottawa’s oldest stone building. On the first floor, learn about the construction of the Rideau Canal and explore the vault of the building. On the second floor, discover the people and events that shaped Bytown from 1826 to 1854 moving on to Queen Victoria, a quirky Victorian parlour, the confederation, and World War I on the third floor.
Immerse yourself in neoclassical architecture, original construction, and luxurious materials on this exclusive tour led by heritage conservationist Donald Luxton. Also witness Ray Saunders of Landmark Clocks International unveiling his restoration work on the Vancouver Block clock, offering a captivating glimpse into clock restoration. Watch this rare glimpse inside the historic 1912 Vancouver Block with Equitable Real Estate Investment Corp., our Vancouver/BC Outreach partner!
