Secrets of Radar Museum facts for kids
| Established | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Location | 2155b Crumlin Side Road, London, Ontario, Canada. |
| Type | military museum; science & technology; history |
| Collections | technology, RCAF, military, archives, research library |
The Secrets of Radar Museum is a cool place in London, Ontario, Canada. It's near the London International Airport. This museum opened in 2003. It tells the amazing story of over 6,000 Canadians who worked on a super-secret project during World War II.
These brave Canadians were part of a top-secret effort involving radar. They came from all over Canada and were sent to different parts of the world. They had to promise to keep their work a secret. This promise was so serious that they couldn't talk about it until 1991! The museum helps us learn about their important contributions. It is a non-profit museum, which means it's run for a good cause, not to make money.
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What the Museum Does
The Secrets of Radar Museum has three main goals:
- To keep the history and special items of the Canadian military's radar division safe. This includes stories of the men and women who served.
- To teach everyone about the history of radar in Canada.
- To offer a peaceful place for veterans to visit and share their experiences.
About Canada's Secret Radar Work
During World War II, the British government asked Canada for help. Over 6,000 Canadians were trained to use radar. They were then sent to different war zones around the world. Their work was so secret that they had to follow the Official Secrets Act. This law meant they couldn't talk about their experiences for 50 years.
It wasn't until 1991 that these men and women could finally share their stories. Canadian radar experts were a very important part of the war effort. The Secrets of Radar Museum makes sure their history is remembered and shared. Many of these early radar veterans later became leaders. They helped develop radar during the Cold War and in Canada's electronics industry.
Museum Collections
The museum has many interesting items in its collection. You can see thousands of photographs. There is also original radar equipment. Most radar equipment from World War II was destroyed. But the museum has rare examples of early radar systems. These include GEE, Fishpond, H2X, and IFF (Identify Friend or Foe) radars.
You can also see special parts like magnetrons and vacuum tubes. In England, vacuum tubes were called valves. The museum also has hundreds of personal items from radar veterans. It has a large library and archive for people who want to do research. Plus, you can listen to many oral history interviews. These are recordings of radar veterans telling their own stories.
Educational Programs
The museum offers special programs for students. These programs are linked to school subjects like history, geography, and science & technology. They are designed for students in Grades 5 to 12.
Special Events
The museum takes part in Doors Open London every year. This event lets people visit interesting places in the city for free. In 2012, the museum was even named one of London's Top Ten sites to visit!
Future Plans
The museum moved to its current location in 2017. Since then, it has opened a new exhibit. This exhibit is about Cold War radar history. It includes information about the DEW Line (Distant Early Warning) and the Pinetree Line radar systems.
The museum also plans to create a travelling exhibit. This exhibit will teach people about Cold War radar and the experiences of those who worked with it. In 2017, the museum received money from the Virtual Museum of Canada. This funding helped them create an online exhibit about London, Ontario's radar history. This online project was completed in 2018.
Museum Partners
The Secrets of Radar Museum works with several important organizations:
See also
