Читать книгу Abbott's Guide to Ottawa and Vicinity - George Francis Abbott - Страница 4

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ARCHIVES.

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Simplicity of architecture is characteristic of the handsome stone building on Sussex street where the records of Old Canada are stored. The wide green lawn forms an effective foreground. Round the parapet of the building will be seen the Arms, carved in stone, of the different provinces, while at either side of the entrance door two bronze tablets inform the reader that one Gilles Hocquart, Intendant of New France, in 1731, made the first proposal of a building for archives, but not until 1906 was the present structure commenced under Hon. S. Fisher. Previously—since 1873—the Archives had existed as a branch of the Department of Agriculture.

The Dominion Archives building was opened January 1st, 1908, and is admirably adapted for its purposes. It is under the control of the Dominion Archivist—Dr. A. G. Doughty, C.M.G.—to whose indefatigable zeal is due much of the valuable material here stored, and whose knowledge of the history of the country has been invaluable in seeking out and acquiring many thousands of important manuscripts previously resting in strange or private hands. On the ground floor are the administrative offices, the library, and ​rooms for students. Many beautiful pictures, including rare engravings, hang on the walls. Among the pictures are some by Paul Kane, the celebrated Canadian painter of Indian life, and by Frank Craig. The library contains 20,000 printed books and pamphlets relating to Canadian history. Displayed in cases are historical souvenirs and valuable autograph manuscripts. A painting by Sir Ben. West, presented by Lord Lovat, depicts the death of Simon Fraser at Saratoga. This young officer was with Wolfe at the siege of Quebec in 1759, and was with the officer who answered the historic challenge of the French sentry. In the Archivist's office are documents of the highest interest, among them the plan of Quebec used by Wolfe during the siege. In a corner of the room is the very chair used by Wolfe. On the second floor is the manuscript room with 20,000 volumes, containing over two million documents, a very large portion being originals. These deal with the country from its discovery to Confederation, and are the main sources of Canadian history. An index makes them available to students. On the third floor the map room contains 6,000 manuscript plans of Canada, and the original surveys of the country. An interesting item is a plan of Quebec in relief, on a large scale, showing every house in Quebec as it appeared in 1800. This stood in Woolwich Arsenal for 100 years. It has been restored recently by Father O'Leary.

The building is open from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.