Press Release Announcing our New Home!

Secrets of Radar Museum

Museum Announces its Relocation

London, ON – After 14 years at its original site, the Secrets of Radar Museum is on the move!

The Secrets of Radar Museum is moving and expects to reopen for the public at its new home in August, 2017. Inventory and packing are well underway, with the first stage of the move expected to occur in mid-June. The Museum is excited to enhance and re-imagine its exhibitions for the new location in a way that will make greater use of its archival and oral history collections.

Support in the form of advice, materials, and funding have been received from other local museums, the London Heritage Council, and individuals; however, relocating a museum is a big project and additional offers of assistance are welcome.

The new site is located at 2155-B Crumlin Side Rd, London, ON N5V 3Z9, which is directly adjacent to the Royal Canadian Air Force Association 427 (London) Wing and shared with the London Amateur Radio Club (LARC). The new site will make for exciting cross-programming and partnerships with the Wing, LARC, and nearby Jet Aircraft Museum.

 

About the Museum: During the Second World War, at the request of the British government, almost 6,000 Canadians were trained in all aspects of radar operation and loaned to the Royal Air Force (RAF). By the war’s end, thousands more had been trained and sent into every theatre of conflict. Sworn to an oath of secrecy that was not lifted until 1991, it was only recently that these men and women were able to share their experiences. Canadian radar personnel were a crucial part of the war effort. Many of these early radar veterans went on to have leadership roles in the development of radar during the Cold War and in the Canadian telecommunications industry. Our museum is dedicated to collecting and preserving their stories and remembering their important contributions. It’s no joke, radar helped win the war!

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.