November 6 – 11, join us in remembering and appreciating those who have served Canada, past and present.
Learn the true story of two Canadian spies helping downed aviators in occupied France during the Second World War as you decipher codes throughout the museum. Next, discover how knitting was also used to hide messages during times of war and peace and contribute your own knitted or crocheted creation to this year's Izzy Doll drive. Finally, create a commemorative dossier filled with Remembrance Day poems at our craft station or spend a moment of quiet reflection in the Hall of Tribute.
On November 10th, enjoy a live concert by the Ottawa Collegiate Wind Ensemble (combined bands from Glebe and Lisgar Collegiates) as they honour Canadian heroes through an original commemorative performance.
All activities are included with museum admission. Admission is always free for all active Canadian military personnel and Canadian military veterans.
Activities
At the museum
An Airman's Vision - A Glebe Collegiate and Lisgar Collegiate Tribute to the Royal Canadian Airforce (RCAF) Centennial
Nov. 10th, 4:00pm
Join us for a Remembrance Week collaboration between Glebe Collegiate Institute and Lisgar Collegiate Institute. The event will showcase traditional artwork, communication technology artwork, historical digital displays, and a concert featuring the "Ottawa Collegiate Wind Ensemble," the combined wind bands from Glebe and Lisgar Collegiate Institutes.
Music students from Lisgar worked with composer Peter Meechan to create a new piece of music paying tribute to a Lisgar and RCAF alumnus. Airman Douglas Ernest Paul penned the poem, "An Airman's Vision," just days before being killed while on duty with the Royal Air Force in England in 1941. The newly composed wind ensemble piece will be premiered at the Remembrance Week event with the composer in attendance.
Commemorative dossier craft
(10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
Design a special keepsake by crafting a mini dossier filled with Remembrance Day poems, and add your own touch by writing secret codes inside. A meaningful way for all ages to reflect, remember, and honor the sacrifices of those who served.
The House of Alphonse
(Ongoing)
Throughout the museum, you will find 5 different secret codes to decipher. The answers to all 5 codes are pieces to a true story of Canadian espionage and escape from the Second World War. Pick up the booklet “The House of Alphonse” to input your answers and learn the story.
the Code nAme iS… grandMa
Did you know knitting was once used to send secret messages? Often, when we think about using secret codes, we think about spies and secret agents. But what about Grandma? Pick up an activity booklet and explore how a simple pair of socks Grandma gives you might have been made with codes knit right into them.
Izzy Dolls
Throughout November, we invite knitting and crocheting enthusiasts to create Izzy Dolls and contribute them to the museum's doll drive.
Master Corporal Mark Isfeld’s mother, Carol, created the Izzy Doll so he would have something to give to the children he met while he served as a peacekeeper. In 1994, Mark was killed by a land mine while serving in Croatia. His comrades in 1 Combat Engineer Regiment asked Carol to continue making the dolls for them to give out. Doctors and healthcare professionals with Health Partners International of Canada now use Izzy Dolls to fill up and pack their medical kits in lieu of Styrofoam, and give Izzy Dolls to their youngest patients in disaster zones.
This year it is the 30th anniversary of the Izzy Doll. We hope to beat our donation number of almost 1000 dolls in 2023!
Dolls can be dropped off at the museum until Nov 30.
Download the pattern and knit for a great cause! A drop-off box will be available at the museum from Nov 1 to 30.
Online
Peace Crane Craft
Learn how to create a beautiful paper crane, a symbol of peace, with just one piece of paper.
LEGACY SERIES
The Legacy Series, an original documentary film series – created by Canadian film students and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum – showcases powerful, personal accounts of the Second World War through the lens of aviation.
Through six episodes, The Legacy Series shares the captivating stories of Canadian veterans — airmen and women who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force, Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, and the Polish Air Force — as well as former European civilians. The Legacy Series bridges the generational divide between veterans and youth, bringing the stories of our country’s history to life for today’s students.
Teachers: Watch the Legacy Series with your class and then download your free, curriculum-based educational activity plans today!
