Summer Photo Challenge 2024: Historic Sites
We at SNAPSHOTS are sure all of our photographers are familiar with at least one historic site. Old municipal buildings, statues, war memorials (and many others) are visual connections to history, making legacy physically present.
For this year’s Summer Challenge, we’d like you to document one or more of these historic places. They don’t have to be officially designated sites, just significant reminders of bygone days. Through photos and words, colour and shadow, obvious and unusual angles, help us experience history through your submissions. Here’s an example.
Millfall
It’s been over four years since Allan and I moved to Almonte, a beautiful 19th-century small town west of Ottawa. Almonte’s long been called “the friendly town,” and we’re glad it truly lives up to its reputation.
There are a lot of waterfalls on this part of the Mississippi River which winds and descends through town. Since the early 1800s industrial mills brought prosperity to the town and employment for thousands. But in the latter half of the 20th century, with cheaper foreign competition, the mills began to close and the town fell on hard times.
Since then Almonte has enjoyed a tourist boom where thousands come to see the many beautiful reminders of the town’s golden years. There’s a new statue of James Naismith, who grew up in Almonte, famous as the inventor of basketball. Nearby, the impressive Old Town Hall has become our premiere venue for theatrical and musical performances. The Old Post Office now houses offices and Almonte’s finest restaurant. And four of the mills have been repurposed as condos.
One of those has become home for Allan and me. Built in 1866 by the wealthy Rosamond family, it was the largest of the old mills, specializing in fine tweeds. In the 1980s, it was the last of the town’s mills to close. Thankfully, it was saved from demolition by a couple who developed it into a beautiful condominium they called “Millfall.” It has been officially designated—so we literally live inside a National Historic Site!
Inside, the foyer has been completely redone, keeping the 19th-century support pillars which are found everywhere in the building, from hallways to kitchens and living rooms.
It’s a large building, six floors at its highest, built of locally quarried stone. We’re lucky to be on the bottom floor with a lovely patio overlooking the manicured grounds.
Each condo unit has a different floor plan, and all have retained some original features. The stone by our living room window and the cement by our patio door reveal how thick the walls are. I’ve been told this was the entry to the dye house.
A few steps to the north end of the building is the waterfall which powered the mill and which still thunders down in the spring runoff.
On the other side of the condo, the former administration offices now house the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum.
The main floor of the museum is a large gallery exhibiting revolving contemporary textile themed artworks. The permanent collection on the second floor interprets the history and development of the woollen industry in Canada.
Millfall was built on Coleman Island. A large wooden staircase once enabled labourers to get over the river to the mill. Recently a sturdier steel memorial Millworkers Staircase has been erected as part of Almonte’s Riverwalk.
At the top of the stairs ran the Brockville and Ottawa railway, which enormously stimulated Almonte’s economy. The trains are long gone, but the railbed is now a beautiful recreation trail. Our puppy Finnegan and I often climb up the stairs and go along the trail on our morning walk.
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Alex Shar, alto, Annie Littlewolf, April Fletcher, Augusta Khalil Ibrahim, Carol Carpenter, Clay Rivers, Chloe Cuthbert, DHBogucki, Daan Spijer, David Montgomery, Dennett, Dusty Craig, Crooked Little Flower, Dylan Fogle, Ellan Aldryc, Elisabeth Khan, Elizabeth Helmich, Eric Griggs, Erik Smith, Erika Burkhalter, erika sauter, Francine Fallara, Gail Boenning, George, Gosia Rokicka, Gutbloom, Gwen Saoirse, Hana Leshner, Heath Houston, J. Finley, J M Jackson, James Finn, Jane Kim, Janice Gill, Jeff Suwak, Jess Hicks, Kathy Jacobs, Kay Bolden, Kenny Chan, Kerry Kuhn, Kris Keppeler, Lecia Michelle 📃, Linda Caroll, Louise Peacock, Mal, Mallory Joy, Mark Ainscow, mark-john clifford, Meg, Michael Ramsburg, Michelle Stafford, miranda deely, Nancy E. Pitts, non sibi cunctis, Nuraine Sadaf, Paul S Markle, Pesky Pippi, Sam Griffiths, Rahul Misra, Randy Cooper, Reverend Nigga Daddy, Roy Schlegel, Sherry Kappel, Stephanie Jackson, Steve B Howard, Tamyka Bell, Tasneem Kagalwalla, Tatiana Reuter Ferreira, Terijo, Terrye Turpin, Tien Skye, Tracy Aston, vcarolinek, Wild Flower, Willow T. Lovelace, Yorgo Hoebeke, Zev Akhter
