Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada unveiled the plaque celebrating Montgomery Place as a National Historic Site on September 17 in Montgomery Park. There’s little doubt that our founding families had no idea 70 years ago that they were laying the groundwork for a community that would become a place “of profound importance to Canada.” Veterans, spouses and children of the first families joined with current Montgomery Place residents, sharing coffee, cookies and community.
Thanks to Parks Canada staff for hosting this event and to Dr. Jim Millar for his remarks on behalf of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, to Mayor Charlie Clark for his fitting comments, Rev. Bill Unger for his apt blessing, to members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch No 63 who formed the Honour Guard, bag piper Kai Noesgaard and violinist Anna Bekolay. Thanks to community volunteers: Emilee Kowaliuk who led us in singing; Gwen Will, Wendy and Katie Rosen and Trish Schmidt for hospitality; Barb McAllister, Denise Paquin and Nina Blandford for cookies; Jim Earle for the sound system and to Barb Biddle and Leslee Newman for their knowledge of Montgomery Place history. Jim McAllister, Roger Biddle and Les Koob looked after set-up, parking and clean-up, while Jim also picked up the most important guest – Robbie Harder.
Robbie represented the first generation of Montgomery Place founders as she assisted Dr. Miller to unveil the plaque. Heartfelt thanks to the founders and their children who brought their parents to join the community today to celebrate Montgomery Place – a “national treasure.” As a special touch, original residents and children from the first 28 founding families wore nametags made by Katie Rosen and poppies given by the Legion.