Prince of Wales is coming to Arnprior, Ontario Canada
July 3rd 2010
Just in case you haven't heard the Prince of Wales is coming to Arnprior- again- 150 years later on July 3rd.
In 1860 the Prince of Wales visited Arnprior and a large group of very dedicated volunteers are putting on a colourful re-enactment to celebrate the day. This is shaping up to be a great day that will include a lumber jack show, vintage photography, food, fiddlers, dancers , children's activities and will trace the history and heritage of this town and the valley. Over 150 costumed animators and re-enactors will be walking the streets and the shores of the Ottawa river in anticipation of the arrival of the Prince via flotilla of canoes. This is a super opportunity for anyone to take a look at this one off event in the valley which is full of family entertainment and it's free. The day starts at 10 and finishes at 4 with all activities at Robert Simpson Park in Arnprior.
Hope we can share our enthusiasm with you and your listeners. If you'd like to know more please give the Museum in Arnprior a call at 613-623-4902 or take a look at our website princeandtheprior.ca.
Hip Hip hurrah the Prince is coming!
History
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Before 1841, the territory roughly corresponding to Southern Ontario in Canada was the British colony of the Province of Upper Canada, while the southern portion of Quebec and the Labrador region of Newfoundland and Labrador was the colony of the Province of Lower Canada.
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On February 10, 1841, the two colonies combined and became the Province of Canada or the United Province of Canada.
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The Province of Canada ceased to exist at Canadian Confederation on July 1, 1867, when it was re-divided into the modern Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
Who was the Prince of Wales?
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First son of Queen Victoria, named Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, affectionately known as Bertie. Born November 9, 1841, died May 6, 1910.
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Later, as Edward VII, he became King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India on January 22, 1901.
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Only 18 when he visited the US and Canada.
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Was heir apparent to the throne for longer than anyone else in history.
How did the Prince come to visit Canada (British North America) and the USA?
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The visit came after a lengthy period of negotiations around the idea of a royal visit. Queen Victoria wanted to express her appreciation for the support demonstrated by Canada during the Crimean War, 1854-6, so she sent Albert Edward when he was old enough.
Why was his visit to Canada important?
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First senior member of the Royal Family to visit North America.
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Queen Victoria had selected Ottawa as the new nation's capital in 1857.
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Drove the last rivet in and opened Victoria Bridge (crossing the St. Lawrence) in Montreal, still standing and in service; at the time, called the Eighth Wonder of the World because of its length, its innovative structure, huge cost, a symbol of British engineering.
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Laid the cornerstone of the new Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.
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He was Queen Victoria's eldest son and the heir to the world's most powerful nation and empire.
Where else did he go in North America?
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Landed in St. John's, Newfoundland (not yet part of Canada) on July 23, 1860.
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Visited the Atlantic colonies (St. John's, Newfoundland; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Prince Edward Island), and the Province of Canada (Quebec, Ottawa, Toronto) as well as many cities in the USA.
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Visited Albany, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, St Louis and Washington.
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In Washington, he was President James Buchanan's guest in the White House.
Visit trivia
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Lots of people took advantage of the Royal Visit to make a fast buck by selling stuff like special caps and hats and commemorative things like medals.
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Stuff included a Prince of Wales biscuit cut in the shape of the Prince.
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Rain followed the Prince and his entourage everywhere but in Arnprior it was so dry that clouds of dust followed th Prince in his non stop travels from Arnprior to Carleton Place