“History is Objective” …. “It Does Matter”…

“History is Objective” …. “It Does Matter”…

Interview with the Canadian War Museum
Featuring Dr. Peter MacLeod, Historian, Pre-Confederation

Protect …Preserve …Present ….

We have three questions regarding the Virtual and travelling versions of Canadian War Museum’s 1812 Exhibition … Our first question to the Museum is how do you protect, preserve and ship such valuable items? Secondly, what would the protocol/logistics be for such transitions? Final part to this question, is what “restriction”, if any, would there be in such transfers.

“The War Museum follows standard museological practices. Any museum who wishes to borrow an exhibition with artifacts from the National Collection must also adhere to specific guidelines and requirements for shipping, lighting, security and climate control. Virtual and travelling exhibitions assist with fulfilling our mandate for outreach. For venues that cannot meet museum standards for artifacts, a version of our 1812 exhibition that has only text and images is available.”

I would like to ask similar questions about organizational techniques, problems solving techniques with respect to coordinating efforts the CWM has experienced with the Project? The reply…“Exhibition teams are created for all exhibition projects at the Canadian War Museum. These teams are tasked with creating the exhibitions and also responsible for providing solutions to challenges.”

Can you share some “problem solving techniques” used during this special event! (For example … a busload of visitors that were not planned for, weather conditions, volunteers/staff being absent due to unforeseen emergencies, running out of “supplies” during an event, shipment issues while the Exhibition travels, etc.) The reply …“The War Museum has dedicated Client Service and program groups that work to ensure visitors enjoy an informative, engaging and pleasant experience while at the Museum – whether they arrive individually or in a group.”

Can you describe to other event organizers and our visitors some of the challenges in coordinating such a remarkable liaison with these elite associations? The reply … “Museums routinely loan one another artifacts. A specific example of a loan for the 1812 exhibition: the Canadian War Museum borrowed the Free Trade and Sailors Rights pitcher from the Smithsonian, and loaned the Smithsonian a Canadian militia coat for their own 1812 exhibition.”

(To Be Continued)