How did an architectural style synonymous with medieval Europe become the style of choice in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Canada?
This illustrated talk will take us on a journey that begins in the Middle Ages, dips into the popular horror novels of the eighteenth century, crashes into the windswept, rocky coasts of Newfoundland and ends up in downtown Ottawa. The thread that links all these is an idea of “Gothic” that, while inspired by the Middle Ages, is constantly evolving, re-imagined and re-built.
Peter Coffman is an architectural historian specializing in medieval architecture and its revivals. He is the author of the book Newfoundland Gothic, as well as numerous scholarly articles in Canadian and European periodicals and books. He has a B.A. from the University of Toronto, a B.A.A. from Ryerson University, an M.A. from York University and a Ph.D. from Queen’s University. He is the Supervisor of Carleton University’s History and Theory of Architecture program, and served two terms as President of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada. He is also a Board member of Heritage Ottawa.
This Lecture Will be Presented via ZOOM | Pre-Registration Required | See Below