The RCAF Memorial Museum to receive a new name

The RCAF Memorial Museum to receive a new name

The Trentonian

Tuesday, June 05, 2007 – 10:00

Local News – Brigadier General Tom Lawson, Wing Commander 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, authorized the decision of the board of directors to rename the RCAF Memorial Museum to the National Air Force Museum of Canada Thursday.

The name change will occur gradually and be completed by 1 April 2008.

The unanimous decision by the board was made to accurately reflect the mission of the museum: “to collect, preserve, and display historical artefacts and archival material pertaining to the people, missions, and equipment of Canada’s Air Force.”

“The re-naming of this Museum is in keeping with its national status declared by the Chief of Air Staff in September of 1999. It is vitally important for our facility to encourage and recognize current and future serving Air Force members and to educate the youth of tomorrow” said Museum Board chairman LCol (Ret’d) Peter McCulloch.

“Since 1914 with the formation of the Canadian Aviation Corps, there have been seven distinct Air Forces by name. Today the Air Force is known as Air Command. Our Museum, given its national mandate, is responsible to tell the Air Force story to the 50,000 visitors that pass through our doors annually. We believe that it is critical that our name accurately reflect these 93 years of history today and in the future.’’

McCulloch added that in keeping with the “tremendous accomplishments’’ of the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Museum Air Park will be renamed the The RCAF Memorial Air Park, to commemorate the 44 year history of the distinguished organization (1924 – 1968).”

As time progresses and the newly expanded facility is completed, many of the artefacts presently in storage will be put on display for the first time since they were acquired. Included in these new displays will be representations of Air Force operations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia that have been conducted since 1989.

The National Air Force Museum of Canada is Quinte’s largest tourist attraction. It is located at 220 RCAF Road in the City of Quinte West.