SOUVENIR
CultureCanadian
Date1997
Dimensions30.7 x 28.5 x 0.8 cm (12 1/16 x 11 1/4 x 5/16 in.)
Object numberHF.2023.22.1 A-B
DescriptionA 78-page commemorative souvenir magazine (A) to celebrate the opening of The Confederation Bridge in 1997. The issue features articles and business advertisements all associated with the bridge. Entitled “The Link” , the multi-coloured front cover features one of the concrete pillars sitting in the water alongside four images of vessels that previously offered a “fixed link” across the Northumberland Strait to mainland Canada. The back cover has an image of a section of the bridge with information and details about the bridge from Strait Crossing, the company that manages the bridge until 2032. A unused registration form (B) for Bridgerace ‘97 was found inside the magazine. The form is printed on white with black text. It provides information about the race and the larger Bridgefest97.Narrative
This magazine serves as an excellent documentary object for a significant moment in the history of Prince Edward Island. As part of the negotiations between the colony of PEI and Canada that paved the way to PEI joining Confederation, a promise was made by Canada to provide a “fixed link” from the Island to the mainland. Colloquially known as “The Bridge”, this structure marks the culmination of that promise by providing a permanent link.
The construction of the bridge introduced new technology and was a massive undertaking in infrastructure development. The decision to build the bridge was not without controversy as this meant that many Islanders would be affected and lost their livelihoods. The Confederation Bridge is the longest crossing in the world to span ice-covered water and officially opened May 31, 1997.
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