For the Record: Early Canadian Travel Photography

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Underwood & Underwood's, Bow River Valley, Banff, Alberta, 1900, stereograph
Library and Archives Canada, e011093678
William Notman's Great Cedar Tree, Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, 1897, albumen print
Library and Archives Canada, e011154357
Keystone View Company/Underwood & Underwood's Typical coast and fishing village near Battle Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador, c. 1900, stereograph
Library and Archives Canada, e011093675
Alexander Henderson's Ice Cone, Montmorency Falls, Quebec, 1876, albumen print
Library and Archives Canada, e008444124
Hyla Watts Fox's Studio portrait with Niagara Falls backdrop, 1870s, tintype
Library and Archives Canada, e011055257
Couple posing in front of Niagara Falls, 1858, ambrotype.
Library and Archives Canada, e011154362_s2
Wesley J. Swan's Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick, c. 1900–10, silver gelatin print
Library and Archives Canada, e011154355
Samuel McLaughlin's Northeast view from roof of West Block, Ottawa, Ontario, c. 1880, albumen print.
Library and Archives Canada, e011154360
Alexander Henderson's St. James Street West, Montreal, Quebec, c. 1870, albumen print.
Library and Archives Canada, e011154353
Alexander Henderson's Victoria Bridge, Grand Trunk Railway, Montreal, Quebec, 1878, albumen print.
Library and Archives Canada, e008444126

Much like today, photographs were used to entice Canadians to visit sites around Canada in the early nineteenth century. Professional photographers were hired to highlight these destinations, but soon after traveling Canadians were taking photos themselves to remember their travels. The For the Record: Early Canadian Travel Photography exhibition at the National Gallery displays a variety of destinations around Canada that were part of this early Canadian tourism industry.

The exhibition is drawn from the collection of Library and Archives Canada and currently on view at the National Gallery of Canada until August 30, 2015.

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