Plaque, Commemorative: Lt.-Col. John By Fountain, Confederation Park, 1955
Entry/Object ID
2018.003.01.01
Description
One large rectangular commemorative brass plaque from the original Lt.-Col. John By Fountain. Horizontally oriented brass plaque with large raised lettering and raised border. Mounting hole in each corner. Plaque reads: 'THIS FOUNTAIN HONOURS THE MEMORY OF // LT. COLONEL JOHN BY // ROYAL ENGINEERS // BUILDER OF THE RIDEAU CANAL 1826-1832 // FOUNDER OF BYTOWN, RENAMED OTTAWA IN 1855. // SPONSORED BY THE ENGINEERING INSTITUTE OF CANADA // WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COMMISSION // THE HISTORIC SITES AND MONUMENTS BOARD // THE NATIONAL GALLERY AND THE CITY OF OTTAWA.'
Made/Created
Date made
1955
Inscription/Signature/Marks
Transcription
'THIS FOUNTAIN HONOURS THE MEMORY OF // LT. COLONEL JOHN BY // ROYAL ENGINEERS // BUILDER OF THE RIDEAU CANAL 1826-1832 // FOUNDER OF BYTOWN, RENAMED OTTAWA IN 1855. // SPONSORED BY THE ENGINEERING INSTITUTE OF CANADA // WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COMMISSION // THE HISTORIC SITES AND MONUMENTS BOARD // THE NATIONAL GALLERY AND THE CITY OF OTTAWA.'
Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
Plaque
Nomenclature Sub-Class
Organizational Objects
Nomenclature Class
Ceremonial Objects
Nomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication Objects
Legacy Lexicon
Object Name
Plaque (flat object), Commemorative, Plaque
Dimensions
Height
68.5 cm
Width
114.5 cm
Material
Brass
Research Notes
Notes
Result: Identified
A pair of red granite fountains, erected in Trafalgar Square in 1845 and damaged during the Blitz of WWII, were used to create one fountain which was gifted to the Government of Canada, through the National Gallery of Canada and sponsored by the Engineering Institute of Canada from the National Art Collections Fund of England. The fountain, dedicated on October 5, 1955 was to commemorate Lt. Col. John By, builder of the Rideau Canal. It was originally located just north of the Laurier Bridge embankment on the west side of the QE driveway, but was later moved to Confederation Park (where it remains today) and was rededicated on May 23, 1975 with a new plaque.
