The RCR Association Documents
The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum - Capital Campaign
London Free Press Editorial, 20 May 2007
RCR Museum a part of Canada
By: Paul Berton, Editor-in-Chief, London, 20 May 2007
It is a true gem. A unique landmark in the heart of London far too few have visited, and many aren't even aware of.
It is part of a national historic site, but it is also a reflection of our local history.
The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum at Wolseley Barracks on Oxford Street is considered one of the finest military museums in Canada.
And now it needs the help of all Londoners. Indeed, all Canadians.
In order to remain relevant and attractive, meet modern museum standards, upgrade lighting and climate-control systems and modernize facilities to better preserve and display priceless artifacts, the museum has launched a capital campaign.
Last week, it got a needed jump start from the province: Queen's Park gave $240,000 to the building campaign, which aims to raise $2.3 million by 2008.
Here's why it's important:
The Royal Canadian Regiment, established in 1883, is one of the oldest in Canada and the longest serving infantry regiments.
The history of the RCR is really the history of Canada at war: the regiment was dispatched to the Riel Rebellion, to the Boer War, both world wars, Korea and the Persian Gulf War. Battalions of the regiment have served as part of NATO in Europe and with UN operations in Cyprus, Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo and Afghanistan.
Wolseley Hall, which houses the museum, was the first purpose-built Canadian military building in Canada. It opened in 1888, when the regiment moved from Victoria Park. Today, the hall is the only building of its kind in Canada, one of the reasons it was declared a national historic site in 1970.
It is still the headquarters for the RCR, and there are still hundreds of people on the former base.
The federal government pays the rent and utilities, but there is no other federal funding. The last federal money came in 1983 for renovations, but the museum doesn't qualify for most other grants because it's a federal building.
The museum, which started out as a few artifacts displayed on tables in the basement of a barrack block in Camp Petawawa, moved to London in 1954 and has been growing ever since.
Today, thousands of students and tourists pass through it each year, learning about Canada's military heritage, getting a better understanding of the regiment and the role the military has played in Canada's history.
But more than that, it's one of the best reminders in the country of the contribution of the RCR to Canada's well-being, growth and current prosperity.
It's something we can't allow London, or Canada, to forget.
POSTED BY: Paul Berton, London, POSTED ON: May 20, 2007
(Shared under the Fair Dealings Provision of the Copyright Act, original column posted on the London Free Prees.)