The Secrets of Radar Museum

Imagine saving the world... and keeping it a secret for 50 years. Thousands of men and women who served in World War II don’t need to imagine – it was their life. And this is the Tumblr for a small museum dedicated to telling their stories. We post photos from our collection, which we will clearly tag as part of our collection. We also will tumble material from other blogs, which fits our subject. Feel free to ask us radar questions; we'll try to answer. Visit secretsofradar.com for more information.

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Government of Canada supports The Secrets of Radar Museum through the Tourism Relief Fund

We simply can’t keep quiet about this wonderful funding news anymore! See below for more details!

The Secrets of Radar Museum received nearly $38,000 from Ontario’s Southwest Regional Tourism Organization through FedDev Ontario to support future growth, increase public access to its collections, and attract visitors.

November 8, 2022, London, Ontario

The tourism sector is vital to the economy and jobs in Ontario’s Southwest. The Secrets of Radar Museum is a distinct tourism destination that draws visitors from near and far. Not only does this relief fund allow us to move forward on major projects that preserve and present history within our region, the majority of our grant will be spent right here in southwestern Ontario with local vendors.

Today, The Secrets of Radar Museum received a non-repayable contribution of nearly $38,000 from Ontario’s Southwest Regional Tourism Organization to upgrade aging infrastructure to support public access. This is part of the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Ontario’s Southwest Regional Tourism Organization received nearly $11 million from FedDev Ontario to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors, recover from the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for future growth.

This investment will help The Secrets of Radar Museum adapt and recover to attract new visitors and drive economic growth in London.

READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE

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Vimy Flight at 427 (London) Wing

Join our friends at the 427 Wing, on Crumlin Sideroad, for Vimy Flight: Birth of a Nation, July 14-17.  Three replica, bi-wing Nieuport 11 aircraft will be making an appearance at the Wing.  The aircraft, known as Vimy Flight, are making a cross-country tour of Canada as part of a Department of Canadian Heritage sponsored program celebrating both Canada's 150th anniversary and to recall Canada's integral contributions in the evolution of First World War aviation. We will be participating with a display exploring the technology that led to the development of radar. 

Aircraft will be on static display from Friday afternoon until late morning Monday.  The big day will be Saturday, with a full schedule of events. Schedule of events for Saturday, July 15th: 1100: Ted Barris will present his Vimy talk in the Wing 1200: Outside in the Vimy Memorial Garden for remarks from City Councillor 1215: Randy Warden, President of Vimy Legion Branch 145 1225: Reverend Frank Mantz blessing 1230: Ceremonial tree planting of the two Vimy Oaks 1245: Public meet and greet with the Vimy Flight pilots and invited guests 1315: Possible flight of Vimy Flight, weather permitting 1415: Aircraft return to static display at the Wing for viewing, photography, etc. 1700: Aircraft taxi to hangar for overnight, Wing remains open until 2100.  

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We're Moving !

You've heard the rumours and seen the posts on Facebook...

Well, it's true:

we're on the move!

That's right, the rumours are true, Secrets of Radar Museum is relocating.  We can't give give you the details, yet, as the paperwork hasn't been signed, but we're pretty sure you'll understand our excitement.  You can expect an announcement soon.

As was reported in our last newsletter, the Western Counties property, our home for 14 years, is changing ownership.  Unfortunately, the age of the buildings means that in order for the new owners to upgrade, everything has to be removed to clear out asbestos and address long-standing structural problems.  While we're sad to leave our idyllic location by the Westminster Ponds, we're happy to say that the new owners have great plans to restore and re-purpose the buildings.  And we're even more excited about the plans for our new home!

Three great ways to help us out:

Moving is hard enough, but moving a whole museum (even a little one like ours) is a really big job!

Volunteer to inventory and/or pack artefacts

Donate packing supplies (bubble wrap, packing foam, plastic totes, packing tape)

Donate money to help us re-imagine our exhibits in our new home!

 The museum's final day open to the public is May 13, 10AM-4PM. Inventory and packing will occur throughout the month of May.  The collection will be moved early June with the museum re-opening at its new site mid-summer.

Contact us to volunteer !

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The Radar-Carrot Myth on the Food Non-Fiction Podcast

In late November, Manager Maya took a call from one of the producers of a podcast called Food Non-Fiction.  What Lillian Yang wanted to talk about was the 'carrot myth' and how it helped keep the secret of radar during the war.  Maya was, of course, happy to oblige.  The results are up now on the Food Non-Fiction website, and we encourage you to listen and share your thoughts (and carrot recipes) in their comments section. 

While it's true that carrots are good for you and improve the overall health of your eyes, they don't really give you better vision.  At least, not like the Second World War British propaganda machine would have you believe.  So, by all means, eat them, but they won't help you see in the dark.

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Remembrance Day

On this day, we do not celebrate war, but the willingness of our veterans to serve, sacrifice and protect, and we remember the thousands who never returned. We remember also the unsung civilian heroes, who fought and died, never wearing uniforms. In a larger sense, we also mark the tremendous price paid by all people affected by war and conflict. Whether you remember someone specifically, or contemplate the impact of war in a general sense, thank you for taking time to remember.

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Live History presents "Circa" at Radar

Join us for this season's most unique theatre experience, right here at the Museum !  We are delighted to announce that we will be a venue for the pioneering history theatre company, Live History, this autumn in the lead-up to Remembrance Day.  Live History will presenting site-specific "Circa" at the Museum, November 5 & 6.

Showtimes are 10AM, 4PM, and 7PM, Saturday and Sunday.

Advance tickets can be purchased with cash at the Museum: $17 adult; $15 seniors, students, and veterans.  They can also be purchased by credit card (service fees apply) through Eventbrite.ca.  At-the-door tickets are $20 for everyone.

About Circa: It’s almost closing time at the museum when you run into a strange figure, dressed in period clothes and seeming confused. The mysterious character, identifying only as Circa, is horrified to discover they are in the modern era, and many of things they remember and love are now behind glass. They have no recollection of who they are, or how they got there. Only items from the past seem to trigger memories and stories about their identity. Stay with Circa for anecdotes from the main exhibit’s time period, and travel through other exhibits, searching for clues.

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Still Standing: Vanastra episode

We're becoming quite the place for film and TV researchers and we are delighted to tell you that our - okay, Vanastra's - episode of CBC's "Still Standing" airs tomorrow (June 21) at 9pm! Manager Maya attended the taping and laughed her head off and now you can, too.

We helped the "Still Standing" team understand and break down the former RAF/RCAF/CFB Clinton's history, and we put them in touch with spry WWII radar veteran Jim Sands, who came down from the Ottawa area to participate in the making of this episode.

https://m.facebook.com/stillstandingtv/

‪#‎StillStandingTV‬

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Still Standing: Vanastra episode

We're becoming quite the place for film and TV researchers and we are delighted to tell you that our - okay, Vanastra's - episode of CBC's "Still Standing" airs tomorrow (June 21) at 9pm! Manager Maya attended the taping and laughed her head off and now you can, too.

We helped the "Still Standing" team understand and break down the former RAF/RCAF/CFB Clinton's history, and we put them in touch with spry WWII radar veteran Jim Sands, who came down from the Ottawa area to participate in the making of this episode.

https://m.facebook.com/stillstandingtv/

‪#‎StillStandingTV‬

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Live History Theatre Coming to Radar!

We are delighted to announce that we will be a venue for the pioneering history theatre company, Live History, this autumn in the lead-up to Remembrance Day.  Live History will presenting site-specific "Circa" at the Museum, November 5 & 6.  Show times and ticket information to be announced.  We'll have more information available in the summer. 

About "Circa", from livehistoryshows.com:

It’s almost closing time at the museum when you run into a strange figure, dressed in period clothes and seeming confused. The mysterious character, identifying only as Circa, is horrified to discover they are in the modern era, and many of things they remember and love are now behind glass. They have no recollection of who they are, or how they got there. Only items from the past seem to trigger memories and stories about their identity. Stay with Circa for anecdotes from the main exhibit’s time period, and travel through other exhibits, searching for clues.

You can learn more about Live History by following them on twitter @livehistoryshow and liking them on Facebook.

[secretsofradar]

Live History Theatre Coming to Radar !

We are delighted to announce that we will be a venue for the pioneering history theatre company, Live History, this autumn in the lead-up to Remembrance Day.  Live History will presenting site-specific "Circa" at the Museum, November 5 & 6.  Show times and ticket information to be announced.  We'll have more information available in the summer. 

About "Circa", from livehistoryshows.com:

It’s almost closing time at the museum when you run into a strange figure, dressed in period clothes and seeming confused. The mysterious character, identifying only as Circa, is horrified to discover they are in the modern era, and many of things they remember and love are now behind glass. They have no recollection of who they are, or how they got there. Only items from the past seem to trigger memories and stories about their identity. Stay with Circa for anecdotes from the main exhibit’s time period, and travel through other exhibits, searching for clues.

You can learn more about Live History by following them on twitter @livehistoryshow and liking them on Facebook.

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Victoria Day at 'Radar'

In celebration of Museum Month, we will be offering a hands-on day at the Museum.  Come visit us May 23, 11AM-3PM for an all-ages, family friendly event featuring magnets, radios, flight mechanics, scrapbooks, and more! 

See our ad in the London Free Press Classifieds for more information.

Check out museumsontario.ca to find out what other Museum Month events are taking place at museums near you!

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Did you know the London Amateur Radio Station operates its Club Station at our museum?  Well, it does !  Every Saturday (and often at other times, especially if there’s a contest running), members of LARC are on site working other radio stations around the world.  In the autumn they offer a radio licence prep course where ‘hams’ novice and experienced learn new things, refresh their skills, teach, and learn.  Look for them on the air as VE3LS, stop in and get a live demonstration, and learn more about them at LARC.ca. 

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We don't just collect the history of Canadians on radar, but the history of how vets were able to tell their stories. This cap is from the 1996 #rcaf #radar reunion in #Calgary. We have many #artefacts that tell the #veterans' story about breaking their 50 year silence. #wwii #secondworldwar #secrecy Collection of the #secretsofradarmuseum (at Secrets of Radar Museum)

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Unnamed personnel stationed at RCAF Clinton, c.1945.  Collections of the Secrets of Radar Museum

The RCAF was the first Canadian armed service to actively recruit women. During the Second World War, the RCAF Women’s Division (originally called CWAAF) began admitting women to fill many different roles, from clerks and telephone operators, to parachute riggers and intelligence officers.  Most WDs were located at British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and RAF training stations (such as RAF/RCAF Clinton) across Canada and Newfoundland, many served in Canadian operational stations, some served in the United States and many were posted overseas with RCAF Overseas Headquarters and No. 6 (bomber) Group.  A total of 17,038 women served with the Women's Division before it was discontinued in December 1946. In 1951, when the RCAF was expanding to meet its NATO commitments during the early Cold War, women were officially permitted to join the RCAF.   Thousands would serve at Pine Tree Line stations across Canada.  Women were accepted as military pilots in 1980, and Canada became the first Western country to allow women to be fighter pilots in 1988.

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Dr. Elizabeth R. Laird, physicist, pioneer in microwave research, at work in her University of Western Ontario lab, August 22, 1945.  Dr. Laird, born in 1874, was a brilliant scientist who, upon returning to London, Ontario following a distinguished career as the Head of Science at Mount Holyoke College, joined the small team of war-time physics researchers at Western where she carried out top-secret radar research for the National Research Council. Photo credit: The London Free Press

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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.

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.

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Manager & Curator Maya Hirschman talks up the Museum in this week's "Our London"

In case you missed the story in this week's Our London, reporter Whitney South spent some time visiting the Museum and interviewing Manager and Curator, Maya Hirschman.  You can read the full article online.

" Imagine helping to save the world — and having to keep it a secret for 50 years. But more than a story in an old spy novel, this was reality for thousands of men and women working behind the scenes during the Second World War. Groups of radar mechanics and operators, physicists and researchers, working to protect soldiers abroad, all in complete secrecy. These days, their stories live on at the Secrets of Radar Museum, here in London. For curator Maya Hirschman, nothing is more important than getting the chance to share those stories with a new generation. “These were Canadian men and women, from all walks of life, who never expected to end up doing top secret work,” she explained. “Like spies and codebreakers, they promised their silence, and their reward was that the official history completely forgot about them.” "  -- http://www.ourlondon.ca/news-story/6227398-opening-the-doors-on-war-s-best-kept-secrets/