Remembering Canada's Military History — 16 Surprisingly Different Memorials in Four Blocks

Along Elgin St and the canal between Wellington and Lisgar Sts., there are a surprising number of memorials to the people who have fought in wars on behalf of Canada, or what became Canada.  Some of these memorials are very well known, such as the National War Memorial (National Cenotaph).  Others are largely forgotten.  They all speak to how Canada, a peaceful nation, was shaped by conflict.  They don't brag of the glory of war, but most often are dedicated to remembrance of loss.  They speak of our desire that we never forget those who have sacrificed, and our hope that Canada remains a force for peace in the world.

This tour will introduce you to sixteen of these memorials.  Even the ones you think you know have some surprises in store for you.  As well as a bit of background for each, we'll talk about the artists who created the them and about the society that installed them.  We'll also take the time to consider how the meanings of these memorials may have changed, and what they are telling us today that may be different from what people who conceived, created, and installed them may have intended.

Carte indiquant le point de départ
Trajet

We'll begin at the National War Memorial in Confederation Square at Wellington & Elgin Sts.  From there, we will go generally south along Elgin, occasionally straying over toward the Rideau Canal, ending at the Cartier Drill Hall.

 

Please review our covid guidelines before attending a walk.
Au sujet du guide

Rob Collins has a degree in History from uOttawa and is a Volunteer Interpreter at the Canadian War Museum.  

Having discovered that there was no definitive list of memorials related to Canada's martial history, Rob and other volunteers set out on a search to find all of those within walking or cycling distance around the downtowns of Ottawa and Gatineau.  We have found more than fifty so far. 

Rob has shared some self-guided walks of military memorials in different parts of Ottawa.  See Ottawa's Military Memorials under our self-guided walks.  

You can also find them all laid out for self-guided tours by bicycle at https://ottawamilitarymemorialstour.wordpress.com.

Guide:

Rob Collins

Quand:
Date:sam 7 mai, 2022
Heure:14h00
Durée: 1 heure 30 min
Langue: anglais
Où:
Début:National War Memorial
Fin:Cartier Drill Hall
Quartier:Centretown
Distance:1.0 km
Accessibilité:

One monument is accessed by stairs with a rather roundabout wheelchair-friendly approach.  Otherwise, the entire route follows paved paths and city sidewalks, all at street level.

Galerie d'images
Canada's National War Memorial, Confederation Sq. The Canadian War Museum. Statue of Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant), part of the Valiants Memorial on Confederation Square. Royal Canadian Navy Memorial at Richmond Landing (accessible from the Portage Bridge where it meets Wellington St.)
Portez-vous bénévole pour mener cette promenade