New gallery at city hall delves into Ottawa's past

Photo via City of Ottawa

Ottawa – A new City of Ottawa Archives’ exhibit opened to the public today. Postcards from Ottawa: Traveller Tales, opened in the Barbara Ann Scott Gallery and will remain until 2023. Postcards from Ottawa: Traveller Tales invites you to take a brief journey across Ottawa’s history through individuals that have come to this city. Some stayed to live, many moved on, but all, in their own way, engaged Ottawa and its people.

The exhibit highlights include:

• First Peoples in the Ottawa Region
• European Exploration: Samuel de Champlain
• Lumber Industry: Joseph Montferrand (Big Joe Mufferaw)
• Settlement: Lamira (née Dow) Billings
• Captain John Franklin and the Rideau Canal
• The Dawson City Nuggets and the quest for the Stanley Cup
• Canada’s Diamond Jubilee and First Lieut. John “Thad” Johnson
• Ottawa as a haven: Dutch Royal Family
• Ottawa “All Shook Up”: Elvis Presley
• Royal Tour of 1967: Ottawa’s swans
• Marathon of Hope: Terry Fox
• The Journey of Nishiyuu: A Quest for Unity
• Ottawa and the age of myth: Long-Ma and Kumo
• Souvenirs of Friendship: Mayor’s gifts

The exhibit includes other artefacts on display and a picture wall of dignitaries and celebrities who have visited during the last 400 years.

The Barbara Ann Scott Gallery is located at 110 Laurier Avenue West at City Hall and is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. The exhibit is free and is wheelchair accessible.