The Military Museums
Past Exhibits 2024
Military Medicine

Blood, Sweat and Tears: Canadian Military Medicine

University of Calgary Founders' Gallery

20 Oct 2023 - 3 Mar 2024

Blood, Sweat and Tears: Canadian Military Medicine This exhibit explores Canadian military medicine from the 19th century through to Afghanistan. Canadian stretcher bearers, medics, nurses, doctors, surgeons, and other medical personnel have been an important part of Canada's military commitments, and have saved countless lives. With over 138,000 wounded in the First World War, and over 53,000 wounded in the Second World War alone, military medicine has been critical and constantly evolving.

Technological advances will be explored, with much of the equipment used being displayed. Specific stories of men and women who have tended to our wounded will be presented, including personal artifacts and oral histories. The exhibit will cover battlefield medicine from initial first aid through convalescence and will have a major section on PTSD. There will be a strong art component for the PTSD section specifically, but art will feature prominently throughout the exhibit, alongside artifacts representing the full chronology.

Air Force 100

People of Canada’s Airforce - 100 Years

University of Calgary Founders' Gallery

1 April - 2 Sept 2024

People of Canada’s Airforce - 100 Years This April marks 100 years of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Disdained prior to 1914 as a non-viable arm of the military, the Air Force did not take root in Canada as a military element until well after the end of World War I. Building on the impressive legacy of Canadian aircrew and groundcrew serving with British units during the First World War, the Canadian Air Force grew over the next one hundred years into a military branch distinct in culture and contribution to Canada’s military heritage.

This exhibition illustrates how a distinct Air Force cultural identity emerged from the working environment, technology, and lifestyle experienced by airmen and airwomen between 1914 and 2024. It also tracks the continuity and evolution of this centenarian cultural identity and examines how it has contributed to operational efficiency to date.

Curated by Alison Mercer and produced by the Air Force Museum of Alberta.

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