The Friends of Algonquin Park Announces a New Book, Algonquin Park - A Place Like No Other by Roderick MacKay

ALGONQUIN PARK, ON, Aug. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - The Friends of Algonquin Park, a non-profit Canadian registered charity for those passionate about Algonquin Park is pleased to announce the publishing of Algonquin Park - A Place Like No Other by Roderick (Rory) MacKay. This 432-page softcover book on Park history is "the most comprehensive and authoritative book yet written about Algonquin Park and its people" says Ron Tozer, retired Algonquin Park naturalist.

Using thorough searches of archival records and oral history interviews Rory MacKay has compiled the most extensive history of Algonquin Provincial Park. The reader will learn of the original Algonquin and their present-day descendants, as well as explorers and loggers, rangers and poachers, squatters and leaseholders, scientists and civil servants, all within the story of Algonquin Park's formation, development, and current management.

"As Algonquin Park celebrates 125 years during 2018, many people are reflecting on the importance of Ontario's first provincial park. Since the majority of Ontario's provincial parks have been established in the past 35 years, many visitors are surprised by the extensive history of Algonquin Park. Rory MacKay's Algonquin Park - A Place Like No Other is an amazing resource for the future, but also a lasting gift to the people of Ontario about their beloved Park" says Lee Pauzé, General Manager of The Friends of Algonquin Park.

"I had the opportunity to conduct taped interviews of "old-timers" around Algonquin Park during the winter of 1975/76" say Rory MacKay. "This gave me glimpses into the lives of rangers, trappers, cottagers, guides and researchers. That personal experience led to a deeper exploration of Park history, including additional oral history interviews, historic site fieldwork, archaeological investigations, and research in the Algonquin Provincial Park Archives and Collections, the Ontario Archives, and Library and Archives Canada. My original intention was to write "the definitive history" of the Park, covering "everything." It soon became apparent that this was an impossible task. Much has happened about which little was written down or has been forgotten. Questions that could have been asked were not. The immense size of Algonquin Park (7,630 square kilometres at the current time [larger than Prince Edward Island]) makes it difficult to relate all that has happened; this history book is extensive but not exhaustive. I am pleased to be able to share my understanding of the history of the national and provincial treasure that is Algonquin Provincial Park."

The publishing of this book was made possible through a generous donation to The Friends of Algonquin in memory of an individual, whose deep love of Algonquin Park and appreciation of nature defined him as a husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

Accolades & Quotations

• "Rory MacKay is a park original. He is also a fine historian and a damned good storyteller. If you love Algonquin, you will love this book." - Roy MacGregor, award winning author and Officer of the Order of Canada
• "This fine book will be a prime reference of choice on the cultural history of Algonquin Provincial Park for many years to come!" - Bill Calvert, Chief Administrative Officer of the District of Muskoka (retired)
• "The definitive work on the people who explore, work in, live in, and love this place" - Brian Maltman, Algonquin Park Residents Association (APRA)
• "Algonquin Park ? A Place Like No Other is the most comprehensive and authoritative book yet written about the Park and its people" - Ron Tozer, retired Algonquin Park naturalist

Author Book Signing

Meet author Rory MacKay who will be promoting his new books Algonquin Park - A Place Like No Other and A Chronology of Dates and Events of Algonquin Provincial Park on August 19, 2018 from 11am to 2pm at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre.

Ordering Information

Book orders are available through The Friends of Algonquin Park website at www.algonquinpark.on.ca or call 613 637-2828.

About Rory MacKay

Roderick MacKay, better known as Rory, was a secondary school teacher in the Limestone District School Board, in Kingston, Ontario for 30 years. Between 1972 and 1978 and in 2000 he worked as a seasonal naturalist and historian for what is known as the Algonquin Park Natural Heritage Education Program. He has published Spirits of the Little Bonnechere: A History of Exploration, Logging and Settlement, 1800 to 1920; More About the Blacksmith Shop; More About... the Camboose Shanty: Home to the Shantymen of the 19th Century; More About... J.R. Booth: Lumberman, Railroad Builder, Industrialist and Great Canadian; and Algonquin with William Reynolds.

About The Friends of Algonquin Park

The Friends of Algonquin Park is a Canadian registered charity and non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 1983 for people passionate about Algonquin Park. It operates retail locations, recruits members, and fundraises to support the natural and cultural educational goals of Algonquin Park. In addition, The Friends of Algonquin Park is a book and map publisher and distributor with over 85 Algonquin Park titles in its collection. In 2018, The Friends of Algonquin Park is celebrating 35 years of supporting Algonquin Park. For more about The Friends of Algonquin Park, visit www.algonquinpark.on.ca

SOURCE The Friends of Algonquin Park