|
Merwin & Hulbert First Model Army Revolvers from the
Douglas Arms Collection in the RMC Museum
The Royal Military College of Canada Museum is a jewel
nestled among the many historic sites that can be
found throughout the greater Kingston area. Together
these serve to draw thousands of visitors each year.
However, the Museum has become seriously handicapped
in recent years due to its aging facilities, parts of
which now urgently require updating and renewal.
Museum storage is currently in ad hoc facilities in
basement rooms not otherwise required by the College.
Display cases dating from the 1960's require
upgrading, and the lighting currently installed in the
Martello Tower of Fort Frederick is some forty years
old and falls far short of acceptable museum
standards. The museum needs $100,500 to meet
standards.
“The RMC Museum is a national treasure that, in the
significance of its collections, can rival some of the
top museums in Canada. Although the collections are
very rich, the museum itself needs help. For years
now, the museum has existed on a tiny budget, with
sub-standard storage facilities and with only a
part-time curator” Ross McKenzie RMC Museum Curator.
The Museum represents all cadets: past, present and
future. It represents the fact that Point Frederick
has three different designations as a National
Historic Site and is an important part of the public
face of the College.
Backgrounder:
The Royal Military College Museum is located in the
Martello Tower of Fort Frederick on the campus of the
Royal Military College of Canada. The Museum, as it
now exists, was created in 1962 by the RMC Commandant
of the day, Brigadier W.A.B. Anderson, OBE, CD. Its
major exhibits are housed in the Martello Tower
although smaller displays are located in other College
buildings. The Museum comes under the authority and
direction of the Commandant of RMC. Management of its
operations rests with an appointed |
Museum
Committee and day-to-day operations are the
responsibility of a part-time Curator.
The Museum is an accredited museum within the Canadian
Forces Museum System, and a member of the Canadian
Museum Association, the Organization of Military
Museums of Canada, and the Kingston Association of
Museums and Galleries. It is an independent,
self-financed, Non-Public Fund activity operated in
accordance with the policy and orders governing such
activities promulgated by the Chief of Defence Staff
under Section 38 of the National Defence Act.
The Museum's holdings include thousands of artifacts
and records relating to the history of the College and
its ex-cadets, as well as to the earlier naval
dockyard that was located on the site, which the
College now occupies. This material is of considerable
historic and monetary value and includes such things
as:
-
The George Cross of Air Commodore A. D. Ross, GC,
CBE, CD
-
Cadet notebooks of Air Marshall W. A. "Billy"
Bishop, VC, DSO, MC, DFC
-
The decorations, medals and uniform of General H.D.G.
Crerar, PC, CH, CB, DSO, CD
-
The sword and epaulets of Captain F.B. Spilsbury,
Royal Navy, who commanded ships on Lake Ontario
during the War of 1812
Amongst the Museum's most treasured possessions is the
superb Douglas Arms Collection. This collection of
firearms, edged weapons and armour is one of the great
collections in the world. Donated to the College in
1938 by ex-cadet Walter Douglas, the collection was
the original property of Porfirio Diaz, President of
Mexico in the period 1870-1911.
The Museum is open daily from the last weekend in June
until Labour Day, and during the remainder of the year
to College activities and public visits, by special
arrangement. Admission is free of charge but
donations are accepted. The College provides all
overhead costs and the salary for the part-time
curator. Operating funds are obtained by grants and
gift shop sales, with most monies raised going towards
salaries of summer staff. In order to carry out any
major upgrading of museum facilities, sources of
private funding must be secured.
If
you require further information about the Museum
please visit
www.rmc.ca/other/museum/ or contact Ross McKenzie
(613) 541-6000 extension 6652.
If
you require further information about the RMC
Foundation or ways to donate visit
www.rmcfoundation.ca or contact Steve France (613)
541-6000 extension 6697. |
