We are after all a British Colony, and birthplace of such marvels as the telephone, the lightbulb, radio voice transmission and the Automatic Lubricating Cup (ever so important to steam technology!)... could we display our British heritage with Morris Dancers dancing out the dawn on Mayday?Have a Maple-syrup boiling? A gin-and-tonic tasting?

Tell us!

I propose an improving lecture to teach the lumberjacks, trappers, and

coureur des bois the gentle art of tea making, that they might spread this

civilizing influence into the wilds of the Dominion.

How about a huge collage using hockey equiment and hockey ephemera

Paul - excellent idea!

Dee - sure, if its period!

A display highlighting all the advances in avionics made by Canadian inventors that the Americans then claimed as their own. It is a massive amount!

I would like to be able to offer a gin and tonic tasting and may just be able to get a commercial sponsor to supply gin for us. (There is an art to tasting gin, how to define the botanicals etc.)

Tinker, we would be most pleased to have you do a gin and tonic tasting.  If you are able to get a sponsor, that would be even more lovely.

Perhaps reps or displays (or just info packets sent by them) from the various victorian sites and steam museums across Canada. A few have been posted already on the StC facebook site, but I'm sure that they'd jump at the publicity.

Speaking of sponsors, has anyone thought to approach the 'absinth' distillery in BC? The one discussed on the StC facebook page a few months(?) ago? Perhaps they -- and 'Steamwhistle Brewery' for that matter -- would also like to put on a display at the convention...

Thank you for your ideas Raiffe.  We'll look into them for sure.

Perhaps some topical talks and hands-on lessons in Victoriana or Edwardian home crafts (also popular in the colonies).

For example; have a lecture on one day for 30 minutes about history, practical uses (if there was any), various techniques, if it was sold in a backdoor industry, or even illegal industry *gasp*, etc. Then later on in the day, or another day, have a hands-on tutorial approximately 1-2 hours in length on the craft. The tutorial would need to be signed up for ahead of time, and would probably cost a nominal fee (for supplies).

Isabel and I have found that people generally do not like to sit in lecture or a topical talk for more than half an hour, and REALLY like handouts (1-3 pages; overview, supplies required, and simple instructions). However, the crafts portion people usually like an hour to 2 hours. They also like to take complete items home, or items that need minimal completion (i.e. 90-95% done).

A few craft examples that I can think of are:

• embroidered handkerchiefs (corner only)
• adding lace embellishments to anything (bring a piece of clothing, learn to attach lace)
• pressed flower pictures
• collage or decopase
• make a pair of cuff links (probably only 1/2 hour tutorial)

Both Isabel and I teach bellydance, if there was an interest in fusion dance or costume making, we might (we were already planning on being @ the con) be able to do a combined class where the students learn some moves and some costuming tips applicable to steampunk.

I also posted this to the FB discussion.

Horses played a big role in the life of a Victorian Canadian. There is a horse breed called Canadian. For more information on this unique breed of horses Google "Canadian Horse", Wikipedia has an article but not near as in depth as the breeders groups have put together. Depending where the event is situated could we have a Canadian Horse demo? Picture ops in a hackney etc? A truly unique animal in that is was bred to not only work behind the plow, carry a courier at speed and everything in between, but to survive with as little care as possible. BTW is was also the basis of many more popular breeds in NA such as the American Morgan.

All excellent suggestions, keep the ideas coming!

Speaking of inventions whcih we wern't. where would the world be without the unique Canadian invention the Robertson screw??  

I think we need a duel between Robertson and Phillips....

From decades of personal experience Robertson would win hands down... unless he were in the United States of course!

Hmmm... a formal tea held at the correct time perhaps?

Seperate classes for ladies and gentlemen on proper Victorian behaviour and manners? Then set them loose on each other! 

Class/lecture on 19th Century Canadian/World/Technological history and development?

Metallurgy demonstration?

Steam engine(s) -- just what are all the pieces called anyway and what do they do?

History of the Canadian railway system?

History and development of lighter-than-air craft?

History and development of the submarine &/or diving equipment?

19th century life in.... Toronto? Ottawa? Calgary? Vancouver?

I would be willing to arrange demonstrations of popular nineteenth century games of chance -- it would give me an excellent excuse to order period-appropriate equipment. No cash (not even pennies) trading hands though, we don't want to have to arrange a gaming license for the event. Just playing for fun and perhaps for a few inexpensive prizes provided by myself.

I'll keep the thinking cap on!

If you like, Ay-Leen and I could deliver our Beyond Victoriana presentation =] Or host an alternate-history brainstorming session. And it would be really awesome if we could bring in historians to discuss the changes Canada went through in the 19th century. Perhaps some First Nations speakers?

As far as absinthe goes, Taboo (the BC distillery) is not bad.  The LCBO brought it in for Vintages this summer, but last I heard supplies were running low.  They do, however, do mail order fairly reasonably.

Raiffe at July 15, 2010 at 5:08 PM

Perhaps reps or displays (or just info packets sent by them) from the various victorian sites and steam museums across Canada. A few have been posted already on the StC facebook site, but I'm sure that they'd jump at the publicity.

If you like, I can contact the Ontario Black History Society (I'm a member).

If I remember correctly, they have a display board about Elijah "The Real" McCoy.  If you want steam engines you really shouldn't leave him out (as he was the guy who invented that Automatic Lubricated Cup)

http://www.blackhistorysociety.ca/elijah_mccoy_en_227cms.htm

I'm still curious about his time in Scotland...