Canadian War Museum bringing Sir Isaac Brock’s tunic to Grade 8 history fair in Ajax, Ontario

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

Ottawa, Ontario, March 7, 2016 — The Canadian War Museum is helping a Grade 8 student prepare a very special presentation for The Greatest Canadian History Fair at Dr. Roberta Bondar Public School in Ajax, Ontario. To help Midhat Naeem support her case for Major-General Sir Isaac Brock as The Greatest Canadian, the Canadian War Museum will display the coat in which Brock was killed during the Battle of Queenston Heights.

“I was delighted to see Midhat take such an interest in Canadian history and to be invited as her special guest,” says Mark O’Neill, President and CEO of the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History. “The tunic is a very tangible part of our heritage that I hope will bring Brock’s story to life for Midhat and her classmates, further encouraging their interest in Canadian history.”

Every year before the fair, each Grade 8 student at Dr. Roberta Bondar Public School profiles one Canadian, either living or deceased. The class then votes on which candidate has made the greatest impact on Canada, Canadians and the world. Midhat wrote to Mark O’Neill, inviting him to the fair this coming Wednesday and asking if he could provide any materials related to Sir Isaac Brock.

In her letter, Midhat wrote, “My reasons for selecting Sir Isaac Brock are many. His efforts in defending Upper Canada against the United States. His successful command [in] capturing Fort Detroit. His foresight and readying the British army and [militia] for what was to come. [. . .] If your organization could provide me with materials related to Sir Isaac Brock, I will do my utmost to showcase this great Canadian as the inspiration he has been.”

The coat will be on display in a protective case, with collections specialists on hand, from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9, as part of The Greatest Canadian History Fair at Dr. Roberta Bondar Public School, 25 Sullivan Drive in Ajax. The hole made by the musket ball that killed Brock is visible just below the left lapel.

In recent years, the War Museum has been expanding its outreach efforts beyond its walls to bring history to Canadians — and especially students — from all regions of Canada.

The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Its mission is to promote public understanding of Canada’s military history in its personal, national, and international dimensions. Work of the Canadian War Museum is made possible in part through financial support of the Government of Canada.

–­ 30 –­

Media are asked to confirm their attendance with Avra Gibbs Lamey and to arrive at the school on Wednesday, March 9 between 10 and 10:15 am.

Media contacts:
Yasmine Mingay
Director, Public Affairs
Canadian War Museum
Telephone: 819-776-8608
Email: yasmine.mingay@warmuseum.ca

Avra Gibbs Lamey
Senior Communications and Media Relations Officer, Canadian War Museum
Telephone: 819-776-8607
Email: avra.gibbs-lamey@warmuseum.ca

For more information visit warmuseum.ca. Follow us on twitter.com/CanWarMuseum or facebook.com/warmuseum.