From Brantford to Baddeck and Beyond: The places and spaces honouring Bell’s legacy
- Nov 17, 2022
- History
- 5 minute read
Alexander Graham Bell’s story is inextricably linked to Canada: it’s where he and his family first settled after their move from Scotland, where he dreamt up the telephone, and where he spent many of his later years—and created some of his most notable inventions.
Needless to say, Bell left a lasting impression on our country. In turn, Canada continues to honour his legacy with many monuments, museums, and memorabilia.
Discover the spaces and places all across this nation that pay tribute to Bell and his world-changing inventions.
Photo: An older Bell waving by his solar stills.
Courtesy of Parks Canada.
Alexander Graham Bell’s story is inextricably linked to Canada: it’s where he and his family first settled after their move from Scotland, where he dreamt up the telephone, and where he spent many of his later years—and created some of his most notable inventions.
Needless to say, Bell left a lasting impression on our country. In turn, Canada continues to honour his legacy with many monuments, museums, and memorabilia.
Discover the spaces and places all across this nation that pay tribute to Bell and his world-changing inventions.
Photo: Bell Homestead in Brantford, ON
Courtesy of Tourism Brantford
Bell Homestead National Historic Site
94 Tutela Heights Rd, Brantford, ON N3T 1A4
The Bell Homestead is a national historic site located in Brantford, Ontario—where the Bell family first settled when they immigrated to Canada from Scotland. This site features the actual house that Bell and his family lived in from 1870 to 1881. There you can discover how the Bell family spent their time in Brantford, see some of their original furniture and belongings, and take a tour featuring various telephone models built between 1877 and the 1990s.
The Henderson Home, the building that originally housed the Bell Telephone Company, is on display at the Bell Homestead National Historic Site as well. Check out Canada’s very first telephone office, plus even more telephone displays.
Photo: Bell Memorial Park in Brantford, ON
Courtesy of The Heart of Ontario & Tourism Brantford
Bell Memorial Park
41 West St, Brantford, ON N3T 3N4
Bell Memorial Park, as its name would imply, is home to the Bell Memorial—a monument dedicated to the great inventor and his most famous creation, the telephone. The memorial was created by Canadian sculptor Walter Seymour Allward (who is also known for creating the Vimy Memorial in France), and was unveiled to the public during a ceremony on October 24, 1917. Bell himself was in attendance for the celebration.
The Bell Memorial is an impressive artistic feat. At the time of its creation, it featured the world’s largest single bronze casting. Through a variety of human figures, the symbolic sculpture represents the discovery of transmitting sound through space—which is essentially what Bell did with the telephone.
Photo: Statue of Alexander Graham Bell
Courtesy Bell’s Historical Collection
Bell Statue, Bell Telephone Company of Canada Building
86 Market St, Brantford, ON N3T 2Z8
This larger-than-life Alexander Graham Bell statue sits outside of the Bell Telephone Building in Brantford. Although the building isn’t open to the public (it’s still a workplace!), this is a great spot for a photo op with Bell.
Did you know that Brantford is nicknamed “The Telephone City?” It’s home to the world’s first long-distance phone call, Bell’s first North American residence, his “dreaming place” (Bell’s idea for the telephone originated here), and the first Canadian telephone factory.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Pkwy, Ottawa, ON K1K 2X5
Although Bell is best known for the telephone, he made great progress in the world of aviation as well. Bell, along with his Aviation Experiment Association (AEA), built four airplanes over the course of two years. The fourth and final plane they built, the Silver Dart, was the first manned, powered aircraft to fly in Canada.
A replica of the Silver Dart, along with some pieces from the original plane, can be found at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Visit the museum to learn all about the Silver Dart, the AEA, and the history of aviation in Canada.
Photo: Artifact Alley, Canada Science and Technology Museum
Courtesy of Ingenium Canada
Canada Science and Technology Museum
1867 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1G 5A3
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is known for its interactive exhibits as well as its vast collection of historical artifacts. Visitors explore the complex relationship we have with household technologies such as telephones and consider how these amazing tools have shaped our lives.
In addition to the telephone, Bell also invented the photophone—the first-ever wireless communication device. It used mirrors to reflect sunlight onto a selenium receiver, turning the light into an electrical signal. The photophone, which was one of Bell’s proudest achievements, set the foundation for today’s laser and fiber optic systems.
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
559 Chebucto St, Baddeck, NS B0E 1B0
Located in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, across the lake from Bell’s estate and research laboratory, is the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. The on-site museum was architecturally-inspired by Bell’s tetrahedral kites, of which he flew many during his time in Atlantic Canada. These kites paved the way for further advancements in aviation.
There’s lots to see at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site: explore the world’s largest collection of Bell artifacts, conduct experiments, and be inspired by a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Bell’s life. Full-scale replicas of the Silver Dart and HD-4 Hydrofoil (both of which are featured on our Bell commemorative circulation coin) are housed on-site as well.
Photo: The main house at Beinn Bhreagh. Built in 1892-1893, the large and rambling house was the summer home for the Bell clan for many years.
Courtesy of Parks Canada.
Beinn Bhreagh
Beinn Bhreagh, Baddeck, Nova Scotia B0E 1B0
Across the bay from the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site is Beinn Bhreagh (Scottish Gaelic for “Beautiful Mountain”), the vast property that housed Bell’s estate and research laboratory. Bell and his wife Mabel purchased this expansive Cape Breton property in 1886, and it’s where they were eventually laid to rest.
Beinn Bhreagh was a place for exploration and innovation. Many experiments and discoveries regarding aviation, watercraft, and vegetation occurred at the estate. Notably, two of Bell’s most renowned inventions came to life here: the Silver Dart airplane and the HD-4 hydrofoil boat.
Although Beinn Bhreagh is still privately owned, you can catch glimpses of it from Baddeck and the Bras d’Or Lake.
Bell Virtual Museum
If you’re unable to travel to the places we mentioned above, don’t worry. We’re bringing the very best of Bell’s inventions to you!
Our Alexander Graham Bell virtual museum is a fully immersive experience that you can access from anywhere in North America. Launched to celebrate the Bell 2022 commemorative circulation coin, the site invites you to explore and interact with Bell’s many inventions in two virtual rooms: sound and transportation. It’s a great way to take a closer look at and learn more about the work that Bell is best known for.
Forever dedicated to advancing the world around him, Bell has done that and more through the innumerable inventions he crafted during his life in Canada. Learn more about Bell’s many achievements and innovative spirit, as well as our 2022 commemorative circulation coin: a Canadian tribute to an all-around visionary.
From Sea to Sky: How Alexander Graham Bell Transformed Transportation
Alexander Graham Bell is best known for creating the telephone, but his impact on the world far exceeds that one invention. His ceaseless drive to create and innovate resulted in a variety of ground-breaking inventions—many of which we still see iterations of today. Notably, his work in transportation—primarily in aviation, but also in watercraft—left a lasting impression on the industry.
The Making of a Man: A word-art portrait
When it comes to inventions, few have had the global impact of the telephone. Patented in 1876, this device has changed cultures across the globe. However, Bell was so much more than the inventor of the telephone – his many inventions are still impacting our lives today. These contributions, along with key words from his life story, are listed in the word-art portrait featured on our 2022 Proof Dollar.
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