“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

Society Today …

Sitting down with Dr. Peter MacLeod Historian, Pre-Confederation with the Canadian War Museum, we were able to inquire about the Museum’s thoughts on presenting this Exhibition considering Canada has great ethnic diversity, immigration and culture. While the CWM is exploring the War of 1812 from the contrasting perspectives of the four main participants: Canadians (including Canadian First Peoples), Americans, the British and Native Americans. This exhibition explores an important event in Canadian history and would appeal to anyone who wants to learn more about Canadian history—regardless of their background.” During our interview, Dr. MacLeod stated that it is important for everyone to know who they are, where they came from, to identify in a practical way. He tells us identity and self knowledge is important. The CORE MESSAGE is always there. Dr. MacLeod states it is important to narrate this historical event with INCLUSION in mind!

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1812 Traveling and Virtual Exhibitions

Once the 1812 exhibition at the War Museum closes on January 6, 2013, a portion of the exhibition plus selected artifacts will begin to travel to various locations around Canada. The current exhibition is 7000 sq. ft and it will be reduced down to 1500 sq. ft for the travelling version.

In addition to the main 1812 exhibition, the War Museum has also developed two travelling exhibitions, a book, and a microsite. These efforts will bring the messages and themes of the four perspectives to Canadians who are not able to come to Ottawa. The War Museum is the also launching a virtual 1812 exhibition with the same approach in the coming months, which will be accessible to anyone online… “Later on this year, we will be launching a virtual exhibition that will include an overview of each perspective as well as interactive elements to allow visitors to share their own perspectives. This virtual exhibition will remain online after the exhibition at the Canadian War Museum closes on January 6, 2013”

(To Be Continued)

“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)

“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

Historians, Enthusiasts & Artifact Holders …

The Canadian War Museum is constantly upgrading their exhibits. Although they receive artifacts often, Dr. MacLeod tells us that the items need to “fit into the story line”. A story needs to be included, not just a showing or artifacts. One challenge at the Museum is to keep visitors interested and have visitors return at other times. As a Crown Corporation, the CWM has a staff of approximately 40 employees including collections experts, historians, public relations, interpretive and program planners and more.

With the support of their sponsors TD Group and Ancestry.ca, they have been able to present the War of 1812 Exhibition. Peter MacLeod tells us that “Pre-Confederation artifacts” are difficult to obtain. The Museum has high standards in their methods of handling and preserving artifacts as mentioned earlier. The Museum’s large facility houses such items and uses in their displays, for research. He tells us it is difficult to make choices sometimes as to what will be displayed in their exhibits. It is of interesting to note that the CWM also lends many of its artifacts to other Museums and groups for exhibits. “The Canadian War Museum's current collection is comprised of more than 500,000 artifacts relating to Canadian military history. The Canadian War Museum preserves, conserves, and makes available through exhibition, education, outreach and partnership initiatives this vast collection nationally and internationally”. If you have a Pre-Confederation Artifact that you might like to donate to the Museum, they would like to hear from you.

(To Be Continued)

“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

GROWTH in TOURISM … Learning from our Past …

During a recent visit to Ottawa, Ontario Visited had the privilege of spending some time speaking with Dr. Peter MacLeod, Historian, Pre-Confederation with the Canadian War Museum.  The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Its mission is to promote public understanding of Canada’s military history in its personal, national, and international dimensions.

Our Ontario Visited/War of 1812 Celebrations readers might be interested to know … “if the CWM feels our Canadian Heritage contributes to the growth of tourism in this country and what can museums do to encourage development of this increasingly important aspect of our economic development”? The response …“The Canadian War Museum welcomes almost 500,000 visitors annually. Seventy-five percent are Canadians from outside the National Capital Region. These visitors come to see the high-quality, well-researched exhibitions that the War Museum has developed a reputation for producing.” During our interview, we were told that the War of 1812 Exhibition has had in excess of 90,000 visitors.

It must have taken an extraordinary amount of time and effort in the planning of such an amazing Exhibition. Dr. MacLeod explained to us that the initial planning started in 2005. After the core team was formed, it took almost 18 months to completion. First there was a core team of 3, and then an extended team of 12, with over one hundred as the exhibition moved into the final installation phase. As we walked through the exhibit, I couldn’t help but notice all the idiosyncrasies in the making of this Exhibition. We were referred to a time lapse video that captured the installation of the exhibition.

Behind the Scenes of 1812: One War. Four Perspectives, (http://youtu.be/puajNlouKFw) takes 2 minutes 57 seconds to watch and I highly recommend watching it!

Dr. MacLeod told us that approximately one half of the artifacts are borrowed from other museums and institutions. The advantage in 2012 for the Canadian War Museum is there is not a high demand for the many of the artifacts at this time. For example, the anniversary for the Battle of New Orleans is in 2016, and Washington in 2014.

A quote from the CWM … “The Canadian War Museum goes to great lengths to develop appealing visitor experiences that enhance our educational role, including interactive kiosks and in-gallery activities that tie in historical elements.” During our interview, Dr. MacLeod stated that it is important for everyone to know who they are, where they came from, to identify in a practical way. He tells us “identity and self knowledge are important”. The core message is always there”. Dr. MacLeod states it is important to “narrate this Historical Event with INCLUSION in Mind!” I say … Tourism … History …. Our past …. Our future!

(To Be Continued)

“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

"Capturing the Essence …. Your Own Perspective …"

By Judi McWilliams, Ontario Visited

 … continued … You really can’t offend people as history is history. You can’t repeat it exactly either. You can interpret it in your own way. As the Canadian War Museum tells us …“One of the key lessons we hope that visitors draw from coming to our exhibition is the importance of perspective, and allowing that one event may be experienced from multiple perspectives. We introduce this concept at the beginning of our exhibition, as you point out in the question below. By allowing visitors to experience the exhibition from the four perspectives, we leave it to visitors to form their own opinions about what matters to them.” Dr. MacLeod tells us that their goal was to give each visitor the experience to feel at home; to explore and discover their own history and come to their own conclusions.  It is not all about the Invasions of Canada or the origins of the War, but that of all of us, inclusively worked together to defend Canada.

A quote from the CWM … “The Canadian War Museum goes to great lengths to develop appealing visitor experiences that enhance our educational role, including interactive kiosks and in-gallery activities that tie in historical elements.” During our interview, Dr. MacLeod stated that it is important for everyone to know who they are, where they came from, to identify in a practical way. He tells us “identity and self knowledge is important”. The “Core Message is always there”. Dr. MacLeod states it is important to “narrate this Historical Event with INCLUSION in Mind!” I say … Tourism … History …. Our past …. Our future!

(To Be Continued)

“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

 

"Capturing the Essence …. Your Own Perspective …"

By Judi McWilliams, Ontario Visited

During a recent visit to Ottawa, Ontario Visited had the privilege of spending some time speaking with Dr. Peter MacLeod, Historian, Pre-Confederation with the Canadian War Museum.  “The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Its mission is to promote public understanding of Canada’s military history in its personal, national, and international dimensions.”

Over the years, Ontario Visited has visited many “Live re-enactments”, “Living History Museums” and “Pioneer Villages & Museums”. During that period, I have been researching War of 1812 historical events. As a result, I interviewed many organizers and participants of these historical events, written articles about the “Characters of the War of 1812”, “The Importance of Living History”, “War of 1812 – Big in Canada”, “Controversial Topics”, “200 Years of Peace”, ”Authenticity” and more …

During our interview with Dr. Peter MacLeod, it became apparent that all of my efforts were formed from the research and information presented to me. At the beginning of my "Historical" journey, I thought ‘History” was boring. However, since then, I have found just how wrong I was. It is anything but boring. The interview with Dr. MacLeod crystallized just how many “perspectives” there are. The Canadian War Museum is perhaps the most amazing experience I have had in a long while. The spacious museum allows you the opportunity to travel through time, learn, observe, and formulate your own opinions, conclusions and perspectives. What I learned by visiting the Canadian War Museum is that there is a big difference between “Living History” and “Museums”.  “Historians are Historians” and “Re-enactors are re-enactors”. There is no failing, there is no right or wrong. This was especially true after Gary and I took the War of 1812 Exhibitions "perspective" survey. Even though our answers were much different then the general on-line consensus, Peter McLeod assured us that everyone's "perspective" was correct. It is just a matter of how History was perceived. There are opportunities to discover and explore our heritage and the Canadian War Museum – War of 1812 Exhibition helps fill in many details…. It was a wonderful experience that I encourage all to participate in.

(To Be Continued)

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

 

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

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

“Our Journey Begins"

During a recent visit to Ottawa, Ontario Visited had the privilege of spending some time speaking with Dr. Peter MacLeod, Historian, Pre-Confederation with the Canadian War Museum.  The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Its mission is to promote public understanding of Canada’s military history in its personal, national, and international dimensions.

Ontario Visited/War of 1812 Celebrations website has had the pleasure of interview many Historians, re-enactors, Politicians, organizers and leaders about Canadian History. As a prelude to our interview with the Canadian War Museum, I wanted to refresh you with a discussion Ontario Visited had with The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages he stated … “The War of 1812 is a decisive event in our country’s history” …“it is important to understand as this War defined the fact of Canada. This War is especially important to remember, as it is very, very rare story line in that it was an event that was National in Consequence. Again, it defined Canada.” Minister Moore continued to comment on some of the challenges in presenting the War of 1812 to all Canadians … “The first challenge is our physical boundaries. He stated that New Canadians are already engaged as they learn about Canada and go through courses to study to become Canadian Citizens. The second challenge is that it is important that the Quebec Story is understood. That although the War of 1812 was between the American/British and Upper Canada, there if the French Fact. The third challenge is to engage the Youth of our society and communities”….

With that being said, Ontario Visited was able to ask what message the Canadian War Museum – War of 1812 Exhibition planned to achieve through the activities and events planned. They replied …“We would like visitors to come to the Canadian War Museum to explore the history and some of the key battles and outcomes of the War of 1812 as seen from the four different perspectives: Canadian, American, Native American and British. We hope that the visitor will come away with the sense that there is more than one way to look at the War of 1812: that each participant saw it in a different way.”

I repeated our question to further understand…. “Through the eyes of the four main participants offering a richer and deeper understanding of a conflict that helped shape Canada into the nation it is today I asked Dr. MacLeod how does the Canadian War Museum plan to achieve this goal.” The response…“By presenting the War of 1812 through the eyes of the four participants, the Canadian War Museum is able to show what events were important to each participant, and how they were affected. For example, for Canadians, it was a successful defense against much larger neighbours. For the Americans, it was a second war of Independence against the British. For Native Americans, it was a catastrophic defeat. For the British, it was a minor overseas campaign amidst its struggles with Napoleon’s France.

Our exhibition has been very well received to date. A reviewer from the Wall Street Journal noted that we did “...an excellent— and evenhanded —job of defining the experiences of all four groups.” (Mark Yost, Thursday June 21, 2012 pD4)”.

(To Be Continued)