Discovery Train facts for kids
| Established | 22 July 1978 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 7 July 1980 |
| Location | Canada |
| Type | Mobile museum |
| Owner | National Museums of Canada |
The Discovery Train (in French: La Découverte) was a special mobile museum on wheels. It was run by the National Museums of Canada. This unique train traveled all across Canada for two years, from 1978 to 1980. Its main goal was to help Canadians learn more about their country's amazing history.
Contents
What Was the Discovery Train?
The Discovery Train was like a traveling exhibition. It brought history directly to people in towns and cities. Many Canadians got to explore their heritage thanks to this moving museum.
A Museum on Wheels
The train was very long, with about 20 cars. It was painted bright red and white. Imagine a whole museum moving from place to place!
Fifteen of these cars had a past life. They were used for a similar train called the American Freedom Train. That train toured the United States from 1975 to 1976. After its tour, the National Museums of Canada bought these cars. They were then changed into special "tunnel cars" for the Discovery Train.
Traveling Across Canada
The Discovery Train traveled far and wide. It visited many different communities. This allowed people who might not visit a big city museum to experience history.
How the Train Was Made Possible
Making such a big project happen needed a lot of teamwork. Many different groups and companies helped out. Their support made the Discovery Train a reality.
Helping Hands and Donations
Two major railway companies helped a lot. The Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railroads moved the train for free. This was a huge help for the project.
Several large companies also donated money. These included the Royal Bank of Canada, Labatt Breweries, General Motors of Canada, and the Great-West Life Assurance Company. Each of these companies gave C$400,000.
Other groups also contributed. The Devonian Group, The Richard Ivey Foundation, and the MacDonald Stewart Foundation gave C$684,500. There was even a C$100,000 gift from someone who wished to remain anonymous.
Spreading the Word
To let everyone know about the train, an advertisement film was made. Richard Williams Studios created this film. It helped get people excited to visit the Discovery Train.
The Train's Impact
Hundreds of thousands of Canadians visited the Discovery Train. As they walked through its cars, they learned new things. Many rediscovered fascinating parts of their country's history. The train helped connect people to their past.
