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 special place in London, Ontario, Canada. It's located near the London International Airport. This museum opened in 2003. It tells the amazing story of over 6,000 Canadians. These brave people were part of a top-secret project during World War II. They worked with something called radar. They came from all over Canada and went to different parts of the world. They had to keep their work a secret for a very long time. This secret oath was only fully lifted in 1991.
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What the Museum Does
The museum has three main goals:
- To keep the history and items of the men and women who worked with radar in the Canadian Military safe.
- To teach everyone about the history of radar in Canada.
- To offer a calm place for veterans to share their stories.
Discovering Radar's Secrets
During World War II, the British government asked for help. Over 6,000 Canadians were trained to use radar. They were sent to many different war zones. They had to follow the Official Secrets Act. This meant they couldn't talk about their work for 50 years. It wasn't until 1991 that these men and women could finally share their experiences.
Canadian radar experts were very important to the war effort. The Secrets of Radar Museum keeps their history alive. Many of these early radar veterans later became leaders. They helped develop radar during the Cold War. They also helped build Canada's electronics industry.
Amazing Collections
The museum has thousands of old photographs. It also has real radar equipment from the past. Most World War II radar gear was destroyed. But the museum has rare examples. You can see radars like GEE, Fishpond, H2X, and IFF. IFF stands for "Identify Friend or Foe." These radars helped tell who was on your side.
The museum also has magnetrons and vacuum tubes. These are important parts of old radar systems. There are also hundreds of personal items from radar veterans. The museum has a large library and archives. Researchers can use these to learn more. You can also listen to many oral history interviews. These are stories told by the radar veterans themselves.
Programs for Students
The museum offers special programs for schools. These programs connect to history, geography, and science & technology. They are designed for students from Grades 5 to 12.
Special Events
The museum takes part in Doors Open London every year. In 2012, it was named one of the city's Top Ten sites to visit.
Future Plans and Projects
The museum moved to its current location in 2017. Since then, it has opened an exhibit about Cold War radar history. This includes the DEW Line (Distant Early Warning) and Pinetree Line radar systems. The museum is also working on a travelling exhibition. This show will teach people about Cold War radar. It will also share the experiences of those who worked with it.
In 2017, the museum received money from the Virtual Museum of Canada. This helped them create a web-based exhibit. It tells the story of London, Ontario's radar history. This project was completed in 2018.
Museum Connections
The museum works with several other groups. These include the CMA and the OMMC. It also connects with the CHIN and the Virtual Museum of Canada.
See also
