HomeColonel By’s House, Major’s Hill Park, Ottawa
In 1972–73, the NCC collaborated with Parks Canada in an excavation to uncover the foundations of a house inhabited by Colonel John By (founder of Ottawa) during the building of the Rideau Canal (1826–32). The house — occupied by By’s successor (Major Daniel Bolton) after 1832 — burned down in 1849. Reproductions of the rich array of relics uncovered (nails and other architectural elements and domestic objects such as china, glass, pipes and dolls) now adorn the site as part of an information display. The collection is currently stored at the Ontario offices of Parks Canada.
Hawthorne Village, Ottawa
When the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton (now the City of Ottawa) undertook the realignment of Russell Road, some of the work took place on NCC lands. During this project, the heart of Hawthorne Village was uncovered at the intersection of Russell and Hawthorne roads, and artifacts (earthenware, European glass, architectural materials) were recovered from near the foundations of the old post office/general store, a building that was central to life in this 19th-century village. The artifacts were donated to the Gloucester Museum and Historical Society.
Leamy Lake Park, Gatineau
A major multi-year excavation at Leamy Lake Park, in Gatineau, uncovered artifacts going back as far as 4,000 to 5,000 years in history and shedding important light on the Aboriginal history of the Capital region. Artifacts represent many different cultures and were left here by various groups travelling through the region and stopping at the confluence of the Gatineau and Ottawa rivers. They include animal bones, but also many stone and ceramic tools, with some copper. The NCC and its many partners, from all levels of government and from the First Nations, also benefitted from the project through a series of public tours that introduced archaeology and history to a wider public. In 1999, the NCC and the Canadian Museum of Civilization signed an agreement by which the museum would protect and care for the Leamy Lake prehistoric artifacts on behalf of the Canadian people.
Mackenzie King Estate Collection, Kingsmere, Gatineau Park
Mackenzie King Estate holds a collection of more than 2,500 artifacts and historic objects that were used in daily life in Prime Minister Mackenzie King’s day. Many of these objects actually belonged to Mackenzie King, who became Canada’s 10th prime minister while he was living at Kingsmere.
Philemon Wright’s House, Gatineau
Philemon Wright and a small group of travellers from Massachusetts arrived on the banks of the Ottawa River in the spring of 1800 and became the first permanent settlers in what is now the city of Gatineau. Wright’s first house was located in today’s Leamy Lake Park by the Gatineau River. During an NCC project to stabilize the shorelines of the Gatineau River, salvage archaeology was conducted on half of what is believed to be the site of that house (and of a later one). Domestic artifacts (earthenware, cutlery, religious medals, dolls, etc.) were found and have remained in our custody.
Pontiac Bay, Quebec
In 1973 and 1980, we participated in archaeological digs at Pontiac Bay on the Ottawa River northwest of the Capital. These lands were owned by the NCC at the time. The work involved attempts to locate the old Village of Pontiac, and a blacksmith’s shop was the focus of investigation. Artifacts discovered during the excavation were donated to the Pontiac Historical Society in 1996.
Voyageurs’ Corridor, Aylmer
In 1998, during the construction of a parking lot and its link to the recreational pathways system, prehistoric artifacts were found on NCC land close to the Champlain Bridge. These artifacts have been transferred to the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec.
Wakefield Grist Mill, Wakefield
Over time, we collected more than 160 items. With the mill now re-opened as a country inn, some of these are on display. Other items were offered to national, regional and local heritage organizations throughout Quebec and Ontario.