Royal Canadian Military Institute facts for kids
The RCMI clubhouse in 2008,
before the site was redeveloped |
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| Abbreviation | RCMI |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1890 (as the Canadian Military Institute) |
| Type | Private members' club |
| Purpose | Research, discussion and education in defence studies |
| Location | |
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Region served
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Canada |
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Official language
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English, French |
The Royal Canadian Military Institute (RCMI) is a special club for its members. It focuses on learning about military history, how countries protect themselves (called defence studies), and what happens between different countries (known as international affairs). It's located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The RCMI started on January 14, 1890. Back then, it was called the Canadian Military Institute. A famous general, Sir William Dillon Otter, helped set up its main goals. These goals included creating a library, museum, and club for Canada's defence forces. The aim was to promote military art, science, and literature. They also wanted to collect and save records of Canada's military history. The RCMI's motto is Fidelis Per Manere, which means 'To remain faithful' in Latin.
The RCMI's first main building at 426 University Avenue was built in 1907. An architect named William Craven Vaux Chadwick designed the library part in 1908. The building grew bigger in 1912 and 1935. It was also updated in the 1960s. In 2007, the front of the building was rebuilt to look like its original design. On June 9, 2012, the Governor General David Johnston helped start a new project. This project included a 42-story building with homes and other spaces.
The RCMI has a special leader called the Colonel in Chief, who is Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy. The club gets its support from membership fees, donations, and volunteers.
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What the RCMI Does
The RCMI offers a place for people to learn and talk about defence, safety, and foreign affairs. It aims to be the best place in Canada for these discussions and studies. The RCMI wants to encourage the study of military plans, arts, and writings. It also tries to make Canadians proud of their country. It does this by helping people understand Canada's political and military past.
Programs and Events
The RCMI reaches out to the public with many activities. These include speaker programs, educational conferences, and open discussions. They also host special events like dinners and Christmas parties. Regular talks are held about Canadian military history, international topics, and military strategies. These often happen during their Military History Nights and Defence Studies Committee meetings.
The RCMI also writes and publishes its own papers, studies, and magazines. These are about military issues, foreign affairs, and historical items. Some of their publications are 'RCMI Commentary' and 'Sitrep'. They have also published yearly books.
The RCMI has its own museum, archives, library, and art collection. They also offer online resources. The museum shows how Canadian military weapons, gear, and uniforms have changed over time.
After four years of rebuilding, the RCMI moved back into its new home. This was at 426 University Avenue in June 2014. The RCMI now offers places for members to stay overnight and serves food and drinks.
History of the RCMI
Early Years: Canadian Military Institute
On January 14, 1890, 50 officers from Toronto started the RCMI. It was first known as the Canadian Military Institute (CMI). The governor general of Canada at the time, Lord Stanley, was its patron. Another group, the Militia Institute, gave 200 military books to the new club. The founders hoped for 50 to 100 members by the end of 1890. But they ended up with 162 local members and 122 from other areas. The CMI's main building in 1896 was on University Avenue.
In 1907, the CMI bought land behind its current location. On August 29, 1907, the governor general, Earl Grey, laid a special cornerstone. William Craven Vaux Chadwick designed the new CMI Library in 1908. In 1912, the CMI bought the front part of its current land. The governor general, the Duke of Connaught, laid another cornerstone.
Lieutenant Colonel William Dillon Otter was the first president of the institute. He became a very important military figure in Canada. He set the club's first goals: to promote military art, science, and literature in Canada.
At first, from 1890 to 1940, only male army officers could be members. In 1940, this changed to include male army, navy, and air force officers.
Around 1914, the institute was losing money. But when World War I started, many new members joined. After the war, from 1919 to 1930, the club was doing well. However, after 1930, membership dropped because of deaths and people leaving. During the great depression, many members could not afford the $15 yearly fee. The club faced financial problems.
In 1935, a new finance committee was set up. It was led by Lt. Col. F. S. McPherson. He helped the institute stay financially healthy for many years. Under his leadership, they made a budget and stuck to it. They also changed how members paid for things. From 1936 to 1958, the institute made a profit.
In 1943, a woman officer from the Canadian Women's Army Corps tried to join. Even though the rules didn't say members had to be male, she was not allowed to join. However, some changes were made for women. Wives of members could attend "Open Nights." Members could also bring female guests to the Ladies Lounge for dinner and drinks.
Becoming the Royal Canadian Military Institute
In 1946, the first naval officer to be president, Commander A. C. Turner, suggested changing the name. He wanted it to be "The Canadian Officers' Club and Institute."
In 1948, the institute had its first Air Force officer as president. That same year, the Honourable Colin Gibson helped the institute ask King George VI for permission to use the word "Royal" in its name. The King agreed in 1948, but only if the institute changed its name back to Canadian Military Institute first. So, it became the Royal Canadian Military Institute.
In 1948, the RCMI had a record number of members: 2389. But by 1958, this number had dropped to 1925. Many members lived in Toronto. However, there was also a special fee for members who lived elsewhere in Canada. This allowed them to visit the Toronto club when they were in the city.
In late 2008, the RCMI decided to tear down its old building. They made a deal to build a 42-story tower. In return, the RCMI would get a bigger space in the new building. The old front of the building and much of the inside were rebuilt in the new space. This helped the institute avoid the high costs of keeping up a very old building.
The institute closed its old building on June 18, 2010. The 100-year-old building was taken down that year. After four years of rebuilding, the RCMI moved back into its new home at 426 University Avenue in June 2014.
While the new building was being built, from 2010 to 2014, members met at the Albany Club. Popular events like Military History Nights continued. The library books and museum items were stored safely. Work on the collections also continued during this time.
RCMI Museum
The RCMI Museum works to protect and save its collections. The museum has old and new weapons. These include guns, swords, spears, and other weapons from around the world. It also has many military items like flags, badges, uniforms, and medals. Many of these were given by members. For example, Captain Roy Brown, who was famous for shooting down the "Red Baron" in 1918, gave the seat of the Red Baron's plane to the museum.
The art collection focuses on Canadian and British Military History. It includes small paintings, photos, sketches, and oil paintings. The RCMI also has a collection of soldier figures from Britain, America, and France.
RCMI Library
When the institute started, the Militia Institute gave it 200 military books. The library has books dating back to the 1700s. These include military guides, journals, and rare books. William Craven Vaux Chadwick designed the new CMI Library in 1908. By 1958, the RCMI had over 12,000 military books.
The library has many Canadian regimental histories. It also has books from the time of Napoleon. There are army lists going back to 1746 and lists of British and Canadian officers. The library also has one of only four collections of letters from the United States Civil War. Two other copies are in the Library of Congress in Washington and the Smithsonian Institution in Baltimore.
Col. George A Drew, who wrote "Canada's Fighting Airmen" in the RCMI Library, called it "a unique treasury of British and Canadian military literature." The library has a collection of Canadian Official War Photographs from World War I. It also has lists of soldiers and battle plans for World War I and World War II.
Arms
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See also
