Serendipity
Serendipity: Unveiling the historical McDonald-Tupper Photographs
Recently discovered and restored historic family photographs and antique portrait picture frames of James MacDonald, Minister of Justice and Sir Charles Tupper, Father of Confederation and Prime Minister of Canada will be unveiled and displayed for the first time. This historical and educational event will bring together speakers and the personal artifacts of these two important founders of our nation. Serendipity tells the story of how these important historic treasures were found, restored and promises to be an event that provides insight into the lives of the men who helped shape our country.
James MacDonald and Sir Charles Tupper were political allies in Canada around the turn of the century. This event will showcase Tupper and MacDonald’s respective roles in the foundation of Canadian government through never before seen family photographs and artifacts.
James MacDonald was a leading Halifax lawyer and politician in Nova Scotia. MacDonald acted as legal counsel to the Fathers of Confederation and was a Minister of Justice and Attorney General for Canada in the government of Sir John A. MacDonald; eventually he completed his public service as Supreme Court Justice for the Province of Nova Scotia.
Sir Charles Tupper was a Father of Confederation, High Commissioner to Great Britain and Prime Minister of Canada. Tupper and MacDonald lived in Halifax at the time of confederation, as fellow countrymen and even neighbors – their estates were located next to each other. The families were further intertwined when two of the Tupper sons married two of the MacDonald daughters.
These rare and carefully restored portraits will be accompanied by personal items belonging to family members and fascinating tales of the MacDonald and Tupper families and their important roles in Canadian history, at the time when the University of Alberta and its Extension department were formed in Alberta.
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