Château Ramezay & un peu Montreal
We enjoyed a long weekend in Montreal recently and I headed off on my own to wander through Château Ramezay for a bit. Built in 1706, it was home to Claude de Ramezay (Montreal governor). It was also where Benjamin Franklin stayed when he went to Canada or, as the sign more accurately says, it “Was occupied by American invaders in 1775-76.” (A different sign says “Armées des États-Unis” (same deal, but in French).
Easier to just buy it
Benjamin Franklin was sent to Canada in 1776 to persuade them to join us. He lasted ten days, then returned to the US saying “it would be easier to buy Canada than to conquer it.”
That made me chuckle.
Fur trade: a big deal
Beavers brought in the most money. Beaver fur was worn by Amerindians (new term for me!)… fur side to the body (I remember this from a visit to a museum in elementary school).
Beaver top hats were popular until the 1850s, when silk hats took over.
Zacharie Vincent, Telari-o-lin (1815-1886)
To capture depictions of Huron culture before it was too late, Vincent painted himself wearing traditional costumes.
Richard Montgomery
Richard Montgomery keeps popping up for me lately and will likely appear in my upcoming Livingston presentation that I have not yet started. I knew he died while trying to convince Canada to join us in the fight against the British. I guess I never thought it through enough to realize the died in Canada. Seems quite obvious. In any case, he brought 300 guys to join good ol’ Benedict Arnold so they could all attack Quebec City. Seems (according to the placard) that perhaps they rushed it to ensure the attack happened before contracts ran out for some of their men. It didn’t go well. Montgomery was killed December 31, 1775. Also, they found Montgomery’s frozen body the next day.
The next day!
Yikes.
Richard Montgomery was married to Margaret Beekman Livingston’s daughter Janet.
Oh, and PS: before he was killed he sent a letter to the people of Montreal (in care of their governor) to just go ahead and surrender “so he would not have to resort to bombing the city.” “Montgomery was seeking to present himself as a liberator.” Quotes are from the placard.
The color-coded map with the highlights 👇
Genius. Also, loving the spelling of Saretoga, Nouvelle Yorck, Cocksocket, Palz Town, Pakepsy, and Kats Kill.
The typography… 😍
Ball-headed club
I took a picture of this weapon because I’m including a doodle of one of these in an upcoming presentation, but did not know what it was called. This particular one is perhaps Sioux. It was a “symbol of declaration of war” that was “presented with great pomp during a vigourus dance. It may be left on a field of battle as a signature or as a provocation. Made of very hard wood, it usually portrayed an animal form; in this case a serpent’s head” … according to the placard.
Did not know that.
I freaking love this sign
Re: King George III’s big fat head
According to the placard, this was given to Montreal by the British Crown “to foster an alliance with the recently conquered Canadiens.”
What did the card say? “Congrats on being conquered! Now you get to look at my big head! xoxo III”
And also…
We went up in this giant ferris wheel; it was the highlight of our trip.
All of the seating was unexpected. So plentiful. Particularly in this lovely park we visited. And the most shocking thing? None of it was hostile! Look at this massive expanse-of-a-bench!
