Tag Archives: army

Fort York National Historic Site

Conservation / Preservation:

Architecture

The walled Fort is home to eight original military structures dating to 1813-1815, including soldiers’ barracks, blockhouses, and munitions storehouses. In addition, the 17.5 hectare national historic site contains a significant portion of the original 1793 Garrison Common, including Victoria Memorial Square, Strachan Avenue Burying Ground, the mouth of the now-lost Garrison Creek, the still-active Fort York Armoury, and the Fort York Visitor Centre.

Artefacts

The site contains many artefacts documenting early Canadian and British military history, including uniforms, weapons, headgear, artillery, tools, musical instruments, bottles, cookware, and personal items, many of which are on display in the museum’s exhibits.

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

Approximately eight exhibitions that offer a window into early nineteenth-century life at the Fort, including,

  • Restored soldiers’ and officers’ barracks, and 1826 officers’ mess dinner kitchen.
  • Archeological exhibits documenting the excavation and preservation of site itself.
  • Audio/visual exhibits focusing on the War of 1812 and development of Fort York, and how it relates to the City of Toronto, over the centuries.

Tours

Guided tours by costumed staff are regularly conducted (inquire in advance of visit to find out availability).

Educational Programming

Progressive curricula for elementary school students focusing on various aspects of the lives of the Forts inhabitants, military history, and British North America in general.

Living History Animation

In the summer, interpreters in period military dress drill, fire musket and artillery, and play music.

Special events

Special programming, such as concerts, outdoor food festivals, as well as arts and cultural events take place throughout the year.

48th Highlanders Museum

Conservation/Preservation:

Archives

Provides records of the 48th Highlanders of Canada and its members, however, detailed Military Service Records are located at the National Archives of Canada. Research and research guidance is provided for free for descendants and family members of the 48th Highlanders who have served.

Artefacts

The history of the 48th Highlanders of Canada is shown through uniforms and accoutrements. A large photo collection expands on the battalion history. The museum also provides the stories of individual soldiers through artefacts.

  • Distinguished Regimental Individuals
  • Early Regiment 1891-1914
  • Africa 1899-1902
  • World War One 1914-1918
  • World War Two 1939-1945
  • Service in Afghanistan
  • Service in Canada
  • Regimental Sports
  • NATO Service
  • Regimental Bands
  • Cadet Corps
  • Medal Collections
  • Headdresses
  • Arts and Literature
  • Padres of the Regiment
  • WW1 Trench Art
  • Gas Warfare
  • Military Food

Royal Canadian Military Institute

Conservation / Preservation:

Artefacts

  • Primitive and modern weaponry.
  • Flags, badges, and medals.
  • British, American, and French soldier figurines.
  • Sketches, watercolours, prints, photographs, and oil paintings with emphases on Canadian and British Military History.

Library

  • Military manuals, service journals, periodicals, and rare books dating back to the eighteenth century.
  • Canadian Official War Photographs of World War One.
  • Canadian Expeditionary Force Casualty and Nominal Rolls.
  • Orders of Battle for World War One and World War Two.
  • British and Canadian Officer Lists for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
  • British and Canadian Regimental, squadron, and ship histories.

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

Exhibits focus on the evolution of Canadian military arms, equipment, and uniforms.

Public Lectures

Regular lectures on aspects of Canadian military history, international affairs, and military strategy are held, often as part of the Insitute’s Military History Nights and Defence Studies Committee Roundtables and Luncheons.

Publications

Regular publications, such as RCMI Commentary, Sitrep, The General Sir William Otter Papers, and Heritage Papers dealing with contemporary military and strategic issues, foreign affairs, and artefacts of significance to the Institute and its museum.

Tours

Tours of museum exhibits for school classes as well as the general public and participation in Toronto’s Door’s Open festival.

Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum

Conservation / Preservation:

Archives

Materials related to the regiment’s activities in war and peace time including, architectural records, cartographic materials, prints and drawings, manuscripts, films/videos, and photographs.

Artefacts

  • Costumes
  • Metalwork, silverwork and gold work
  • Musical instruments
  • Medals
  • Weapons
  • Photographs

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

Several dioramas display regimental artefacts and history.

Online Programming

An online exhibit displays regimental history, focusing on their participation during major military conflicts and achievements of famous members.

Tours

Tours are offered to examine the materials in the regimental museum. Special European tours are organized that specifically focuses on the history of Canada’s participation in World War II

Royals Museum

Public Programming

Exhibitions: The collection includes weapons, pictures, artefacts and archives.

Tours: School tours by appointment.

Queen’s York Rangers Museum and Archives

Conservation / Preservation:

Archives / Library

The archives contain documents as lists of personnel dating back to 1777, written military orders (including those of the 12th Battalion, the York Rangers, the 12th York Rangers, the 20th Battalion, the 127th Battalion and the 220th Battalion), training manuals, diaries, maps and photographs, scrapbooks, and ephemera.

Artefacts

Uniforms, medals, badges, weapons, equipment

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

Displays of uniforms, medals, badges, weapons, and equipment tell the story of this regiment and those that preceded it.

Tours: Yes, by special request

Re-enactments / Theatre: Annual Regimental Events:

  • Last  Weekend of May – Ranger Weekend  to commemorate founder Major Robert Rogers.
  • First Weekend of August – Simcoe Day.