by Rory Cory, Museum Executive Director
The Military Communications and Electronics Museum is excited to announce the reopening of the museum following the strike on base. The Mercury Shop reopened 29 April, and the gallery reopened 13 May.
This includes the temporary exhibit “Below! NORAD’s Underground Fortresses”, which relates the story of the underground complexes at Cheyenne Mountain and North Bay, on loan from the Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defence. Learn about why these complexes were created, and the amount of work that went into creating them. The exhibit is presented in conjunction with the RCAF centennial. The Mercury Shop is also selling a wide range of products related to the centennial, including stuffies, ball caps, shirts, keychains, coins, pins and much more!
The Mercury Shop is also once again available for medal mounting services, and purchase of berets, badges and insignia. The shop also sells products such as presentation coin stands, and offers plaque engraving. There’s a full range of C&E kit as well, including decals, customizable gift ware with Branch logos and other items suitable for retirements, farewells, birthdays or other occasions. Personalization is possible, and a range of wedding favours are available from glassware to name plates. Online ordering is available for most products.
With the reopening of the museum, Veteran’s Coffees resumed 14 May and continuing monthly thereafter. The 14 May event saw over 80 in attendance, including about 60 from CFSCE, so it was an excellent intergenerational engagement opportunity. The next Veteran’s Coffee takes place the 11th of June. We are very grateful to our sponsor, ADGA, for these events.
While the museum was closed, there was a major scanning project related to the plaster models created by Walter Seymour Allward for the Vimy Memorial that are on display in the museum.
Partnering with The Vimy Foundation, the Canadian War Museum, and Canadigm, the MCEM is delving into the enduring legacy of the Vimy Memorial. All of the partners were present for a major launch event at the Canadian War Museum on 21 March, which was attended by the CDS. Maj Heron Li spoke on MCEM’s role in the project, representing Commandant, CFSCE LCol Geneviève Audet. MCEM curator, Ms. Annette Gillis, was also in attendance.
The project helps the public to discover the 15 plaster models that tell the story of Allward’s creative process in creating the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.
Through advanced 3D scanning technology, our collaboration has enabled us to digitally recreate the intricate maquettes that Allward dedicated years to sculpting, laying the groundwork for the iconic figures on the Vimy Memorial. Now, you can explore his works like never before.
Visit Allward.vimyfoundation.ca to explore the online site now!
Gallery:
 Gen. W.D. Eyre (Chief of Defence Staff), Major Heron Li (CFSCE) and Ms. Annette Gillis (MCEM) at the Allward launch event, 21 March 2024 at the Canadian War Museum. Courtesy of Annette Gillis. |
 Carolyn Patton, Chair of the Vimy Foundation Board, speaking at the Allward launch event, 21 March 2024 at the Canadian War Museum. Courtesy of the Vimy Foundation/Steve Gerrard Photography. |
 LeBreton Gallery, Canadian War Museum. Courtesy of the Vimy Foundation/Steve Gerrard Photography. |
 Major Heron Li (left) and Ms. Annette Gillis (2nd from left) join representatives of the Vimy Foundation and the Canadian War Museum at the Allward launch event, 21 March 2024 at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Courtesy of the Vimy Foundation/Steve Gerrard Photography. |
 Canadigm scanning Canada Bereft at MCEM 3 Jan 2024. Courtesy of Annette Gillis. |
 Resulting scan. |
 Medals groups mounted through the Mercury Shop. Full size and miniatures available. |