January 14, 2005 History Magazine’s Matter

Before the holidays I received a couple of requests for information on magazines for history buffs as gifts.  Unfortunately time and space didn’t allow enclosure in this column until now.  Here are a few worth considering depending on your interest. 

The Beaver 

Canada’s National History Society publishes my favorite history magazine, The Beaver, six times a year.  A subscription includes membership win the society.  The Beaver has several long articles and many smaller items of interest including book reviews in each issue.  The Society also sells books on line if you are interested for yourself as a gift for someone.  (see General Store at www.HistorySociety.ca) The current issue, recognizing Champlain’s contribution has a feature article “The Mystery of Champlain’s Astrolabe”.  Copies are available at Gulliver’s Books on Main Street North Bay and at most public libraries.  Subscriptions are also available by phone, fax or mail – check www.TheBeaver.ca or call 1-800-816-6777. 

Covers of some recommended Magazines with a heritage perspective.

Canada’s National History Society also has an exciting new kids magazine for children up to age 11 called KAYAK .  It has many activities and articles that will catch the interest of this younger age group.  Log on to KayakMag.ca for details – 6 issues a year plus benefits $21.95.  Also available through the Beaver’s General Store mentioned above.  

Many people with a general interest in history are aware of the Historica Foundation whose mandate is “to provide Canadians with a deeper understanding of their history and its importance in shaping their future.  For further information check www.histori.ca.  Historica has its own programs and financially supports others in the Canadian history education field.  They support the Canadian Encyclopedia, a unique bilingual online source with 30,000 articles, thousands of photographs and numerous other materials.  It receives upwards of half a million visitors a month.  There is also an Encyclopedia of Music and a Junior Edition of the Canadian Encyclopedia for children plus many other resources and activities. 

HighGrader Magazine 

HighGrader “A Voice from the Northland” out of Timmins has been around for 10 years and has some excellent historical material along with a lot of people oriented political articles.  It was run by a group including Charlie Angus, the new MPP for the area and now has new leadership but continues to include his wife Brit Griffen. 

HighGrader has a strong interest in the arts and will profile various artists and their work.  The current issue features 4 paintings by Michael Dobson of North Bay.  Of local interest is an article by North Bay’s Barry Grills on the troubles of the North Bay Area Arts Council which made such an important contribution to the North Bay arts scene and has been cut off by Council budgetary concerns.  Barry makes the point that the arts are not a cost but an economic and cultural investment of the first order.  A subscription costs $24 for 6 issues a year and is available at Gulliver’s, your library or at Box 624 Timmins P4N 1E9, by email at highgrader@nt.net, or by phone 705-266-4950 or fax at 705-264-5335.  The February issue will celebrate their 10^th anniversary. 

The Canadian Geographic 

The Canadian Geographic has many good articles on various aspects of history but also looks at the here and now in nature, science and other interesting topics.  It’s been around for over 70years and has over 200,000 members.  The society can be contacted at 39 McArthur Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1L 8L7 or online under Canadian Geographic.  Copies are available in the locations indicated for the other items above.  A free initial copy is available at present for potential subscribers. 

For more academic publications you can peruse the collection at your local library or at Nipissing University which has numerous specialized historical publications.  Subscription information is available in all these magazines.  Let me know if you have other favorites.  Enjoy.