Trying to get my cartoon to work with the post.
March 28, 2009
March 26, 2009
Serendipity strikes again!
While browsing through some genuinely dusty old files, I came across just what I thought I would never see - several lists of names of Canal staff from the ’50s. Not only that, but there was some great material on “life on the locks”. Also, I found a name that I’d been looking for – a man whose descendents insisted worked on the canal but whom I hadn’t come across before.
In addition, there was some (new to me) information on the work vessels on the Rideau.
Serendipity strikes again!
There are still more lists in the files but by 4 PM I was bagged and went home, much chuffed!
Lots of domestic and other projects to occupy the weekend but next week, I’ll be back at it.
March 19, 2009
Serendipity
Right now I’m (not so) patiently filling out spreadsheets full of the names of carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, etc., who worked on projects at the Rideau Canal or in quarries. There are many more than I thought. I’m up to 1910 or so, and have about 800 names . Well, strictly speaking, there may be only about 600, since some men worked at various crafts – masons worked as stonecutters, for example – it depended on what work was available. Over time, it seems that sons followed fathers, brothers / cousins? show up, and so on.
Interestingly (from my viewpoint) I’m coming across names of people whom I recognize as some of the fishing guides and game wardens from the turn of the 20th century up into the 1930′s.
I was thinking of whether or not to reprint my last book, Fish Tales, which is effectively “sold out”. Perhaps I could simply stick the updated information on guides, game wardens, etc., into my new book on “life on the locks”. I must mull this over.
Sue Pike, the prolific chronicler of life on the Rideau, sent me a nice note on this attempt at blogging. Sue writes what I think of as “virtual history”, as Professor Emeritus Brian Osborne is pleased to call tales of events that might not be strictly true, but are compelling to read anyway. Anything to get people interested in local history – “a spoonful of sugar …”. I admire her ingenuity in crafting her stories. You go, girl!
Well, back to work.
March 14, 2009
Rideau Corridor Landscape Strategy
Just over 175 years young, the Rideau Canal and the corridor through which it runs has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. Now, strictly speaking, the designation only extends 30 meters on either side. So…. it is urgent that the inevitable future development, tourism, and land use decisions support and enhance this international recognition.
As most people know, the National Geographic Society has not spoken kindly about land use development around the oil sands in Alberta. All the more reason to protect what this same Society declared in 2008 to be the second most authentic, sustainable destination in the world.
There are 13 municipalities along the route of the canal, each part having an recognizably different set of characteristics and pride of place. As in many other natural beauty and heritage areas in Ontario, people are attracted to the Corridor, looking for places to enjoy the surroundings, either temporarily or permanently. This flow of interest and development can be both good and not so good, with conflicting goals being pursued.
Parks Canada, the national agency charged with the management and operation of the Rideau Canal as a National Historic Site, is also the lead agency that represents Canada for the World Heritage Site designation. Of course, there are other federal, provincial and muncipal governments with roles to play. The National Capital Commission is the approval authority for all federal lands in the National Capital region.
Beyond these groups, there are First Nations who have a direct interest. The Algonquins of Ontario, including the Pikwakanagan, must be involved in any planning and decision-making. Other First Nation groups may also become part of the process.
Clearly there is an urgent need for “sensitive, sympathetic and sustainable development” and in turn this requires appropriate planning mechanisms and processes to guide such development. Some of the new development interest is in such areas as:
- New residential development such as condos, subdivisions and cottages – think “monster homes”.
- Green energy production such as wind and solar farms.
- Commercial development such as box stores and strip malls, hotels, tourism facilities, camp grounds and trailer parks.
- Marinas.
When the World Heritage status was granted, it was recommended that a study be carried out “to identify the visual setting of the canal along its length and on the basis of this, considerate (sic) should be given to extending protection to those areas which contribute to the quality and understanding of the canal in its setting.”
Parks Canada met with provincial ministries to discuss a corridor -wide study to help identify the natural, cultural and scenic values of the area and develop appropriate land use planning guidelines.
The current thinking is that an “Open Space” workshop should be held with all the identified and interested groups and others to talk about and to develop strategies that will make it easier to work together to produce a collective vision for the management of this precious resource.
As the planners put it, “together, we have a real opportunity to ‘get it right’.” The goal is to bring about the “Rideau Corridor Landscape Strategy”. More information is available at
www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/index_e.asp
I’ll be talking more about this as things go on. Always interested in hearing other views, comments, questions, and so forth. I don’t know anyone who has all the right answers, but we sure need a lot of good ones.
March 12, 2009
Grant Applications
Spending a lot of time helping to put together grant applications for funding two different but related positions. One position os for a person to help coordinate activities related to visual and cultural landscape strategies and studies along the Rideau Corridor.
The other position is a sort of outreach activities manager/coordinator of activities designed to increase knowledge, awareness and appreciation of the Rideau Corridor history, heritage and culture.
Gotta hope all this pays off.
March 11, 2009
COYA
Spent the day trying to get at “Restricted” 50 to 30 year old government department annual reports. It will take a month for the restriction to be lifted. In the meantime, a helpful librarian got them from the stacks – unrestricted – same library. Go figure!
Anyway, they were singularly uninformative – no real surprise, I guess. The staff were just great.
Day not a complete loss – serendipity struck when I stumbled across a list of engineers’ bios that was VERY helpful. Couldn’t find an update but still OK.
March 9, 2009
Slow Going
Last Thursday, I spent half a day in Smiths Falls with the Rideau Heritage Network. One of the main items was a proposal to hire an intern planner to help coordinate activities of groups along the Corridor. This is all in aid of the Visual Landscape Strategy being worked out.
We thought that we had a good proposal – wrong! The location of the young planner may not work – the mentoring plan is now up in the air – much of the budget is being sent back to be reworked. Sigh ….
The Invisible Army(2)
I’ve spent much of the afternoon creating tables of the names, dates, and places that masons, stone cutters, quarry cutters, and quarry men worked along the canal.
Still lots more to do. I have to add the derrickmen, grip men, blacksmiths, engineers, divers, and axemen.
Some updates also coming to my lists of carpenters and timbermen.
Hard to believe, but these were all living, breathing, sweating, men, fathers, etc., who helped make and keep the canal a World Heritage site.
Forgive the brief sermon.
Ed
The Invisible Army
I’m passionate about the history, heritage and culture of the Rideau Corridor – especially the people who have made it what it is. For example, I’ve written two books about the fishing guides and guiding on the Rideau – from Samuel de Champlain in the 1600′s up to the present. Right now I’m working on another book about the men and women who worked on the canal from its opening in 1832. I have a lot of names and stories, but am looking for more. Anything from about 1920 to the present is where there are a lot of holes in the lists. My interest is also on the carpenters, masons, stonecutters, quarrymen, blacksmiths, etc., who worked on the repair and reconstruction jobs over the years. If you can help, let me know. Much appreciated. Ed
