Ontario Regiment Museum

Ontario Regiment Museum (RCAC)
Established 1980
Location South Field of the Oshawa Municipal Airport, 1000 Stevenson Rd N, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Type Canadian Forces Museum; component of the Oshawa Military and Industrial Museum

The Ontario Regiment (RCAC) Museum, an accredited Canadian Forces Museum, is one component of the Oshawa Military and Industrial Museum located in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. This 'living museum' traces its roots back to 1980, having grown out of The Ontario Regiment Museum's Historic Vehicle Section, more commonly known as The Ontario Regiment Ferret Club. The museum is located on the South Field of the Oshawa Municipal Airport, 1000 Stevenson Rd N, Oshawa, Ontario. The museum can only be accessed by the south as the airport blocks the north.

Role

The museum performs a commemorative role by recalling the human sacrifice of Canada's servicemen and women over the past two centuries. Any and all funds raised through the museum’s work are used to subsidize the ongoing maintenance and restoration of the museum’s vehicle and static collections.

Volunteers

The museum operates as a non-profit organization and is entirely staffed by volunteers. Museum volunteers, along with serving members of the Regiment, crew and operate the museum’s vehicles at regimental functions and commemorative occasions in Oshawa, Durham Region and further afield.

Collections

UN White Ferret of the Ontario Regiment (RCAC) Museum, Oshawa, c.1997
Static Display, Ontario Regiment Museum, Oshawa, 2006

The museum organization collects, preserves and displays artifacts and history of the Canadian Forces and, in particular, the Oshawa-based Ontario Regiment (RCAC) and its perpetuating units. The organization boasts the largest collection of operational historic armoured vehicles in Canada. The collection includes approximately 80 operational vehicles. List of operational vehicles as of 2017: leopard 1A5, leopard C2, M60, m551, m113, BMP1, T-54, M8, M3, M24, m548, universal carrier, grizzly, cougar, husky, lynx, ferret scout car, and many more wheeled vehicles.

Several vehicles built during World War II in Oshawa's General Motors plants are on display, along with artefacts related to the local industrial war effort during 1939-45. In keeping the theme of remembrance, the museum maintains a very good collection of uniforms, non-operational weapons, medals and artefacts used by the Canadian Army and Canadian Forces dating back to the early 1850s.

The museums also holds "Tank Saturdays" on the second Saturday of every summer month, usually starting in the month of May. This is when the operation vehicles are displayed to the public. Also there is Aquino Day in which the anniversary of the World War 2 battle in Italy occurred. This event usually includes battle re-enactments.

Hours

Currently open 12 to 4pm Wednesdays and Saturdays. These are the winter hours. Tours of large groups can be arranged. Summer hours are extended, please check the website.

See also

References

    Coordinates: 43°55′02″N 78°53′37″W / 43.91722°N 78.89361°W / 43.91722; -78.89361

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