February Photo Round-Up

We've been busy over the last month or so, writing grant applications, project proposals, and, of course, attending events.  While the applications and proposals are necessities of survival and not a lot of fun, the outreach and events are the reason why we write the grants and crunch numbers.  Interacting, or as we in the museum world call it, engaging with people and our communities is what breathes life into programming, exhibits, talks, displays, etc. 

Wiarton Willy may have predicted more winter, but while many were lamenting, we spent the evening on Groundhog Day with a display at Budweiser Gardens for the incredible presentation of The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines.  The event featured the Pipes, Drums, and Highland Dancers of the Scots Guard.  We talked with audience members, Bud Gardens staff, and event performers until our throats were raw.

The 4th Annual Heritage Fair, presented by the London Heritage Council and the London Public Library, took place on February 13th.  The weather was terrible, but that didn't stop over 400 history buffs of all ages from coming through and spending time learning about London's heritage.  We offered a 45-minute scrapbooking and collage workshop focusing on presenting RCAF history.  We provided reproduced images drawn from our collection, as well as scrapbooking supplies and participants were encouraged to be as creative as they liked.

One of the first visitors to our display at Central Branch for the Heritage Fair.

Finally, our own 3rd Annual Open House took place on Family Day.  The London Amateur Radio Club station, VE3LS, was on the air, volunteers were on hand to answer questions and provide brief tours, and we reprised our scrapbooking craft in the lounge.  Much coffee and hot chocolate was drunk and many cups of "radar" popcorn were enjoyed.

Examples of scrapbooking/collage done by both children and adults at our events.

Manager & Curator Maya Hirschman talks up the Museum in this week's "Our London"

In case you missed the story in this week's Our London, reporter Whitney South spent some time visiting the Museum and interviewing Manager and Curator, Maya Hirschman.  You can read the full article online.

“ Imagine helping to save the world — and having to keep it a secret for 50 years.

But more than a story in an old spy novel, this was reality for thousands of men and women working behind the scenes during the Second World War. Groups of radar mechanics and operators, physicists and researchers, working to protect soldiers abroad, all in complete secrecy.

These days, their stories live on at the Secrets of Radar Museum, here in London.

For curator Maya Hirschman, nothing is more important than getting the chance to share those stories with a new generation.

“These were Canadian men and women, from all walks of life, who never expected to end up doing top secret work,” she explained. “Like spies and codebreakers, they promised their silence, and their reward was that the official history completely forgot about them.” ”

— http://www.ourlondon.ca/news-story/6227398-opening-the-doors-on-war-s-best-kept-secrets/