Canadian Museum of History acquires objects from Winkworth Collection

GATINEAU, QC, April 1, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Museum of History is proud to have acquired a number of objects from the Winkworth Collection of Canadiana following an auction held by Christie's Auction House in London today.

Born in 1929 to an English father and Canadian mother, Peter Winkworth was raised in Montréal. As an adult, he moved to England, where he worked for many years as a broker in London. Over 50 years, he assembled an extensive collection of Canadian artworks, ceramics, furniture and more. Today, the Winkworth Collection is considered the most extensive private collection of Canadiana in the world. Mr. Winkworth died in 2005.

"The Canadian Museum of History is proud to add these important objects to the National Collection. This major acquisition demonstrates the Museum's renewed focus on developing a collection that represents the diverse history of Canada and its people", said Mark O'Neill, President and CEO of the Museum. "Thanks to Mr. Winkworth's foresight in assembling this collection of Canadiana, the Museum will be able to shed light on important moments in 18th and 19th century life in Canada."

Among the objects acquired by the Museum are ceramics, stoneware and other pieces depicting images of General James Wolfe; 19th century figurines of Sir John Franklin and Lady Franklin; clocks made in Montréal by French and English clockmakers between 1780 and 1790; a pair of Canadian walnut and beech side chairs; and 125 stereoscopic photographs.

The objects were purchased for a total of approximately $380,000 through the Museum's National Collection Fund, which is funded in part by donations from Canadians wishing to support Canadian history and the Museum.

Some of the objects acquired today will be featured in the new Canadian History Hall, set to open July 1, 2017.

Located on the shores of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, the Canadian Museum of History is Canada's largest and most popular cultural institution, attracting over 1.2 million visitors each year. The Museum's principal role is to enhance Canadians' knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the events, experiences, people and objects that have shaped Canada's history and identity, as well as to enhance Canadians' awareness of world history and culture.

For more information, visit historymuseum.ca and follow us on Twitter: @CanMusHistory.

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SOURCE Canadian Museum of History

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