Black Watch Armoury Explained

Armoury of the Black Watch of Canada
Native Name:Caserne du Black Watch du Canada
Native Name Lang:fr
Address:2067, rue Bleury
Location Town:Montreal
Location Country:Canada
Start Date:1905
Completion Date:1906
Architect:Samuel Arnold Finley
Architecture Firm:Finley and Spence

The Black Watch Armoury (French: Caserne du Black Watch) is a Scottish baronial-style armoury in Montreal, completed in 1906 to house the 5th Regiment "Royal Highlanders of Canada" (now the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada). Designed by Samuel Arnold Finley and, the armoury was declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 2008. It was previously designated a Recognized Federal Heritage Building, in 1994.[1]

The armoury is home to the regiment's museum, which was opened on 8 November 1949 by the then-colonel of the Black Watch, Field Marshal Lord Wavell.[2]

History

On May 9, 1963, the armoury's exterior was damaged as part of a campaign of terrorist bombings in Montreal by the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ).[3] [4] In March 1983, two Molotov cocktails were thrown at the building, with a communique issued to local media claiming to be on behalf of a group carrying on the revolutionary politics of the FLQ.[5] Quebec politics came into play again in 2009, when a protest by 200 demonstrators disrupted a Remembrance Day visit to the armoury by Charles, Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.[6]

Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada Museum

The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada Museum
Musée Le Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) du Canada
Established:1949
Location:2067, rue Bleury, Montreal Canada
Type:Regimental Museum
Website:Black Watch of Canada Museum

Opened in 1949, the regiment's museum includes uniforms, weapons, musical instruments, maps, medals, photographs and documents that focus on the history of the regiment, the city and the Canadian armed forces. The museum is open to members of the Regimental family as well as to the public on Tuesdays and by appointment. The museum and archives are at the regiment's headquarters on rue de Bleury in Montreal. The museum portrays the history of The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) through a collection of regimental uniforms, accoutrements, trophies of war, and mementos.[7]

It is currently undergoing renovations and is closed for the time being.

References

45.5078°N -73.5697°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Armoury. Federal Heritage Buildings. Parks Canada. 13 August 2012.
  2. Web site: Regimental Museum. Official website. Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment). 13 August 2012.
  3. Book: Fong, William. J.W. McConnell: Financier, Philanthropist, Patriot. McGill-Queen's Press. 9780773532700. registration. black watch bleury.. 13 August 2012. 573. 24 October 2008.
  4. News: Montreal Armoury Bombed. 18 August 2012. Calgary Herald. 10 May 1963. Canadian Press.
  5. News: Firebombs hit Montreal armoury. 18 August 2012. Regina Leader-Post. 8 March 1983. Canadian Press.
  6. News: Montreal police defend handling of royal visit. 18 August 2012. CBC News. 11 November 2009.
  7. A-AD-266-000/AG-001Canadian Forces Museums –Operations and Administration 2002-04-03