National Trust Staff Lockdown Picks: Fresh Books, Podcasts, and Social Media Accounts for the Heritage Enthusiast

We are, at the heart of it, all heritage enthusiasts here and always looking for new ways to learn about and share heritage in all of its forms. Here, the National Trust staff have gathered 20 of our favourite recent media picks to share with our fellow heritage lovers. Below you will find books, social media accounts, websites and podcasts that are offering interesting perspectives on our multi –faceted field in Canada, and around the world. 

Books  

Bulldozer: Demolition and Clearance of the Postwar Landscape. By Francesca Russello Ammon, 2016.  Ammon explores the history of the bulldozer as the machine transformed from a wartime weapon into an instrument of postwar urban planning. The “culture of clearance” was seen as “progress” as pre-war buildings and landscapes were knocked down and urban sprawl was encouraged.  

Canadian Modern Architecture: 1967 to the Present. Edited by Elsa Lam and Graham Livesey, 2019 . A beautifully illustrated overview of “the new” in Canadian architecture in last 50 years, which opens up challenging questions: what is the legacy of arresting designs built with short service lives in mind;  where does value lie in these buildings, many energy-intensive to operate, as we face a climate crisis?   

Guide to National Historic Sites of Canada. National Geographic, 2017. This 352-page book showcases 236 national historic sites and gives visitors fact-packed text that features history, natural history, and must-see elements and events at each place. 

Indigenous Living Heritage in Canada. By Karen Aird and Gretchen Fox, 2020. (available online from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO) – This reflection paper explores the unique qualities of Indigenous Cultural Heritage in Canada and current approaches to recognizing and safeguarding it. 

Once Removed. Andrew Unger, 2020  – A novel about heritage conservation in a rural Mennonite community in Manitoba, and the pull between preservation and modernity. 

Preservation and Social Inclusion. Edited by Erica Avrami, 2020. The field of historic conservation is becoming more socially and culturally inclusive, through more diversity in the profession and enhanced community engagement. Bringing together a broad range of practitioners, this book documents progress toward inclusivity and explores further steps to be taken. 

Podcasts

The Secret History of Canada  with Falen Johnson and Leah Simone Bowen. This podcast explores the history of Canada that goes unacknowledged and unknown. Expect the hosts to ask and answer challenging questions about the status quo, and introduce you to Canadians you never heard about in school. 

99% Invisible  is about all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about — the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world. The podcast does draw primarily on American examples, but it can be easily enjoyed by a Canadian audience.

Sidedoor: A Smithsonian Podcast. Features stories from the extensive collections of the Smithsonian that are too complex to be held in one building! The stories are diverse and international.  

Social Media Accounts

@nationaltrustca (Twitter) nationaltrustca (Instagram)  @NationalTrustCa (Facebook)
Follow us for up to date news and information about Heritage in Canada.

@heritageparkmuseum (TikTok) This account was created by the summer students at Heritage Park Museum in Terrace, BC and is a fantastic example of fun museum content.

@VintageHamilton  (Facebook) Many Canadian cities have a @Vintage social feed, serving up an equal dose of nostalgia and discovery of the neighbourhoods you love. 

@Historica  (Twitter)  historicaCanada ( Instagram) For Heritage Minutes, and daily fascinating information about Canadian history and heritage.  

@What_style_is_that   (Instagram) This account is American, but it breaks down styles and features of historic architecture in simple terms with diagrams and arrows.

@cahpacecp  (Twitter) Follow the Canadian Association for Heritage Practitioners on Twitter for regular posts about projects and sites across Canada that are making news.

@nationaltrust (Instagram) Follow the UK National Trust on Instagram for a constant stream of beautiful photos of their properties and landscapes.  

Interactive Maps

CBC Residential School Interactive Map – Search by your hometown and see where the nearest Residential School to you was located. ( Created by Shingwauk Residential School Centre at Algoma University ) 

Stories from the Land: Indigenous Place Names in Canada. – This interactive map of the area now known as Canada gives an overview of the importance of place names in Indigenous traditions, and illustrates the close relationship between the name of a place, and its stories.  

Memento – An interactive map of historic sites in Montreal aimed at helping citizens discover local and national heritage and offer them keys to preserve and showcase it.

YouTube

National Trust for Canada Follow us for vlog tours, updates on our projects, and to access all of our saved webinars.

Parks Canada has a playlist specifically for National Historic Sites, to explore Canada’s history, and plan your next vacation.

UNESCO’s “World Heritage” Playlist offers short, 2-4 minute introductions to over 300 World Heritage Sites across the globe.