The RCR Museum Indoor Tour

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Ontario's Royal Canadian Regiment Museum preserves and shares the history of the first infantry regiment established in Canada within the permanent force. The regimental history can be traced back to the War of 1812 and it overlaps with some of the most significant episodes of post-confederation Canadian history. The museum is housed in Wolseley Barracks, which was originally called the Infantry School Building when it opened in 1888. The first unit to occupy the building was ‘D’ Company of the Infantry School Corps. They were the fourth company established after the creation of the Infantry School Corps in 1883. The Infantry School Corps would later become The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) after several name changes.

2. Museum Foyer

The museum is located in the west wing of the historic Wolseley Barracks, A Block, a ‘U’ shaped building constructed from 1886-1888 to house ‘D’ Company, Infantry School Corps. The Infantry School Corps would eventually become The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR). The building’s original 1886 floor plans show a room specially designated to become a regimental museum. It is unknown how this space originally functioned, but it shows there has long been an interest in preserving the artifacts and traditions of The RCR at Wolseley Barracks. By 1973, The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum was accredited as a Canadian Forces Museum. The museum’s foyer was once an open brick archway that led into the parade square at the centre of the “U” shaped building. In 2013, renovations to the museum were completed, which closed in the archway to create a reception area and joined together the lower level of the building that was previously divided. In this space you can find a temporary grave marker from the Battle of Mount Sorrell in 1916 (Flanders Cross), as well as the building’s original jail cells.

3. Quiet Room

The Quiet Room contains items remembering those who have served in The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR). The centerpiece of the space is a set of colours from 1901. They are the oldest set of colours that have been presented to the regiment. More recent colours also hang in the room. The Quiet Room also features three beautiful stained- glass panels, as well as a several plaques dedicated to members of the regiment, and finally, a First World War painting called the “Modern Samaritan,” which was painted by Edward R. Glen in 1918.

4. Centennial Gallery

The Centennial Gallery is located on the first floor of the museum and features many fascinating artifacts in three main groups. The south wall presents a collection of cap badges. The left panel on this wall features cap badges from various Canadian units during the First World War, while the right panel has badges from the Second World War. The central panel illustrates the evolution of The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) cap badge. The west wall (Ivey Medal Gallery) presents awards and honours that a soldier might receive. Visitors can see examples of different military medals, as well as sets that belonged to various members of The RCR. The east wall presents Honorary and past Colonels of The Regiment.

5. Early Years Gallery

This section of the gallery was reopened in February 2020. It explores the early years of the Regiment's history.The Royal Canadian Regiment was created initially as a training school for militia officers called the Infantry School Corps. The first galleries present how the regiment was formed and its early duties including the North West Field Force in 1885 and the Yukon Field Force in 1899. In 1883, Parliament approved an amendment to the Militia act which allowed for the creation of military training schools with paid staff and the creation of the Permanent Corps of the Active Militia. This allowed for the creation of the Infantry School Corps which would become The Royal Canadian Regiment. From the early years this unit would be responsible for more than just training, supplying men and officers to the North West Field Force and the Yukon Field Force.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

The RCR Museum Indoor Tour

Created by The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum on July 20th 2020, 6:13:21 pm.

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Tour the interior of The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum and learn the story of the first infantry regiment established in Canada within the Permanent Force. The Royal Canadian Regiment’s history can be traced back to the War of 1812 and it overlaps with some of the most significant events in Canadian history. At this time the tour includes stops on the first floor of the museum. Stay tuned for additional second floor entries in the coming months.

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The RCR Museum Indoor Tour

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