For the Record: Early Canadian Travel Photography

The National Gallery of Canada is showcasing early nineteenth century Canadian travel photos from the Library and Archives Canada collection.

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.