Press Release Archives

For immediate release
23 June 2001

Canada Aviation Museum opens new exhibit: Wind in the Wires

Ottawa—This summer, the Canada Aviation Museum will proudly present Wind in the Wires: A scrapbook of Aviation in Canada, 1909-1914 a temporary exhibition dedicated to the early years of flight in Canada before the first World War. As the twentieth century began, the Western world was enjoying the progress made possible by science and technology. The first automobile were appearing on the roads and the first aviators were performing impressive flights. It is this heroic period of aviation that will be brought to life in the Wind in the Wires.

The media are invited to attend the official opening on Thursday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Canada Aviation Museum. The Museum is also pleased to welcome the Honourable Don Boudria, Minister of State, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and President of the Steering Committee for the IV Games of La Francophonie, Mr. Mauril Bélanger, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, Mr. Stéphane Romatet, Council Minister for the French Embassy, Colonel Gratien Maire, Defense Attaché for the French Embassy and Mr. Rhéal Leroux, Director General of the Organizing Committee for the IV Games of La Francophonie, who will be participating in the official opening of this new exhibit.

Presented in chronological order, this exhibit sketches a portrait of the world’s infatuation with its early century flying heroes, especially the exploits of French aviators before the 1910 air show in Montreal such as Blériot’s crossing of the English Channel in 1909. This fascinating story, interestingly framed through the assembled ‘scrapbook’ of a pair of Montreal youth from the epoque features photographs, postcards and illustrated newspaper articles, published in Canada’s major Francophone newspapers of the day such as Le Canada, Le Devoir, La Patrie and La Presse. Objects such as models, mannequins in period costumes representing the middle class family and reproduction paintings will complement the exhibit.

In its continuing efforts to mark the upcoming centenary of flight, the Canada Aviation Museum is also proud to inaugurate this exhibition as an official partner of the Games de La Francophonie of Ottawa-Hull 2001.

The Canada Aviation Museum, Canada’s premier aeronautical collection, and among the best in the world, is located at the intersection of the Aviation Parkway, just ten minutes away form Parliament Hill. The Museum is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays. Admission is free after 5 p.m.. Parking is free.

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General information: 613 993-2010 or 1 800 463-2038

Christina Lucas
A/Chief, Communications and Marketing 613 993-4243 or clucas@technomuses.ca