The enlarged City of Ottawa, still burping with
glee (not to mention other municipalities' financial reserves) from swallowing
23 adjacent municipalities, now "owns" a number of sites and
museums.
The two most prominent historic sites, both dating
from the second quarter of the 19th century, are:
The Billings Estate, home of an American-born
capitalist who saw a promising resource and grabbed it with both hands. History
has rewarded him by naming a small shopping centre in south-central Ottawa after
the nearby bridge that bears his name. Illegitimi non carborundum
est!
Pinhey's Point, a.k.a. Horaceville, home of a
would-be British squire who had visions of feudal grandeur. not to mention that
of economic exploitation of his poorer neighbours.
Two quite interesting gents and, from all accounts,
as different as chalk and cheese.
The City owns both properties and, at Billings
Estate, the collection. A community heritage group, the Pinhey's Point
Foundation, owns the collection at Pinheys, an anomaly at which the new city
staff are currently marvelling.
Would you prefer a contact on the city side? A bit
tough a proposition these days, as they all seem to be in the family way and
disappearing right and left onto maternity leave. As a board member of the
PPF, perhaps I can help!
Harry
Harry Needham Consulting Services
Inc.
Consulting, training & research solutions
for heritage
institutions - and others!
74 Abbeyhill Drive
Kanata ON K2L 1H1
Canada
(voice) +1.613.831-1068
(fax) +1.613.831-9412
[log in to unmask]