Publications (June 01, 2006)

Canadian Museum of Civilization turns 150

In the 1850s, Canada’s national museum was little more than a piece of legislation governing the Geological Survey of Canada’s small collection of First People’s artifacts in Montreal. Despite decades of wars and worldwide economic depression, funding and staff shortages and a struggle for a permanent home, the museum has finally emerged as a renowned human history and cultural institution. This 150th anniversary history profiles the institution as well as the people who tirelessly championed it to ensure a lasting legacy for generations of Canadians.

A World Inside: A 150-year history of the Canadian Museum of Civilization by Christy Vodden and Ian Dyck is a splendid tribute to the Ottawa-based museum and its new home. With 104 pages and 100 colour illustrations, it is a good browser as well as a good read, available in English or French. Many will remember co-author Christy Vodden who worked in communications at Natural Resources Canada for many years.

A World Inside: A 150-year history of the Canadian Museum of Civilization

Authors: Christy Vodden and Ian Dyck

104 pages, 100 colour photographs

$29.95 Paper

ISBN 0-660-19558-5

To order: visit cyberboutique.civilization.ca or phone 800-555-5621.

NW Quebec mines data now en franais

Private researcher Conrad Bgin of Val d’Or, Que., has undertaken a labour of love that will benefit companies exploring for minerals in northwest Quebec. He is translating mining company data from the region, into French to make them more accessible for francophones. His work covers 18 townships stretching from Tavernier Township in the east to the border with Ontario in the west. This is the first time some of this information has been available in an electronic format; it includes photos.

Bgin’s main source is the Canadian Mines Handbook (which has been published annually since 1931 and is now called Canadian & American Mines Handbook) supplemented by other sources such as Quebec’s Ministry of Natural Resources publications and books dating back to the 1920s.

So far, Bgin and his team have translated the regional information from Handbooks dating from 1931 to 1945. To find out how to access this information contact Conrad Bgin at begin284@hotmail.com, or telephone 819- 824-1091.