51³Ô¹ÏÍø

News

Museum and Dawson family - news from our connections

Published: 13 August 2020

The Dawson family and 51³Ô¹ÏÍøhave a long and storied connection. Sir John William Dawson, founder of the Museum in 1882 and Principal of 51³Ô¹ÏÍøfor 38 years died in 1899. His great grandaughter Kathleen Godfrey, graduated in 2019 with Masters in Anthropology. You can read about her conservation and social justice work . On August 10, 2020, Kathleen's grandmother, Joan Harrington, died at the age of 101. Joan Harrington was married  to Conrad Harrington, former Chanceller and grandson of Sir John William Dawson.  You can read Conrad's obituary and you can read about Joan  In both obituaries you will notice references to the .ÌýÌý

Conrad Harrington's grandfather was Professor Bernard Harrington. Prof. Harrington trained generations of 51³Ô¹ÏÍøstudents in applied sciences suchas mining and metallurgy for over 36 years. Harrington had a hand in developing the plans for the Macdonald Chemistry Building, opened in 1898, of which he was the proud director until his death in 1907. You an read about Bernard Harrington in the Dictionary of Canadian Biographies

This family photo shows Conrad Harrington as a baby seated on the lap of his grandmother, Lady Dawson. The photo was taken at the Dawson summer home in Metis where Joan lived until 2015. The obituary for Joan memorializes  "summers spent in Metis Beach surrounded by grandchildren and lifelong friends of all ages ... Her grandchildren will remember her impishly competitive nature, her never-ending supply of homemade cookies, her laugh, and her stalwart support and gentle wisdom: "It's all milk under the bridge!"

Photo from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Archives PR000252.

Land Acknowledgement

51³Ô¹ÏÍø is on land which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. We acknowledge and thank the diverse Indigenous peoples whose presence marks this territory on which peoples of the world now gather.


Rematriation, Repatriation and Restitution Statement

We acknowledge that the return and restitution of cultural and natural heritage to communities of origin is an essential part of reconciliation and of recognizing the fundamental rights of Indigenous Peoples. As part of wider efforts to activate the standards presented in the Canadian Museums Association Report Moved to Action: Activating UNDRIP in Canadian Museums (2022), the Redpath is working towards pro-active restitution practices. As per our Collections Management Policy (2024), repatriation requests will be received by the Redpath Museum Director and will be treated on a case-by-case basis.

Back to top