The Military Museums, Calgary, Alberta
The Military Museums of Calgary, Alberta form the largest tri-service museum in Western Canada whose collection and programming offers insight into the history of Canada’s Armed Forces – the Army, Navy and Air Force. The collection of five regimental museums provide programming, research and education into the history, heritage, and art related to the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Military Museums of Calgary in association with the Canadian Armed Forces Directorate of History and Heritage developed the travelling exhibition Mission Afghanistan which explores Canada’s military and civilian involvement in Afghanistan throughout the war. The exhibition displays artifacts gathered in Afghanistan by the Directorate and features video interviews with soldiers, civilians, and politicians who were part of the Canadian mission. The multiple voices and perspectives contribute to an exhibition narrative that transcends the political and official histories to tell stories that are evocative and personal.
The Canadian Armed Forces deployment to Afghanistan in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States was our nation’s longest war, lasting from 2001 to 2011, and its first significant combat mission since the Korean War in the 1950s. Visitors are immersed in a high-impact introductory hallway focusing on 9/11 which leads to a theatre-in-the-round space which contextualizes the conflict, the role of the Canadian Armed Forces, and the contributions of other Canadian institutions who were involved in nation building.
As this is a travelling exhibition whose host locations will have variable display space and resources, the exhibitry is modular and flexible allowing it to be installed in multiple formations.
Details
The Military Museums, Calgary, Alberta
2020
Travelling Exhibition
Exhibit Space: 2,000 sq. ft.
Services
Interpretive Planning, Content Creation, Content Management and Exhibit Design
Press
Rob Alexander, “REMEMBRANCE DAY: Exhibit recognizes Afghanistan mission,” RMOTODAY (Nov. 11, 2021)