Museum , not Mausoleum

Webster's dictionary defines Museum as a place where scientific objects and works of art etc. are kept and a mausoleum as a tomb or a large but ornate gloomy building. When you enter the Hammond Museum of Radio you realize at once that the vista unfolded before you marks it not as the resting place of long-dead radios but as a top-ranking example of the cabinet-makers' art and a panorama of development of radio through the years.

You will see radios that are small and plain-looking which were likely owned by ordinary families and some that are large and magnificent, having been owned by people more affluent but each and every one of which evidently brought information and pleasure to their owners by enhancing their knowledge of the larger world around them.

The museum also has a fully-equipped Amateur Radio Station, VE3HC, which can be operated by visiting "Hams" with a museum control-operator present.

Of course, all is not fun-and-games; I and some of the several willing volunteers at the museum have and continue to attend information seminars sponsored by the Charities Directorate branch of Revenue Canada; these seminars provide information on handling charitable donations, issuing tax receipts, preservation of artefacts and a host of other things relating to the smooth and proper running of a museum.

Also attended was a workshop on Emergency Planning which gave me the opportunity to interact with other museums, art galleries and libraries in the Waterloo and Wellington area as well as receive extensive information about preparing for an emergency such as a water damage, etc.

There was also attendance at Morse Telegraph Club meetings at Peterborough and Brampton.

The London Vintage Radio Club held their flea market at the Hammond Mfg. parking lot on Edinburgh Road, arranged by the museum staff.

Last year, the museum sponsored a display at the Stone Road Mall and volunteers were in attendance during the Spotlight on Heritage organized by the Guelph Civic Museum. We will again be participating at this event which will be held Saturday, February 16th, 2008.

In October of last year, 2007, a convention of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters was held in Ottawa and our museum was used as a source for photographing a variety of radios and memorabilia to be used in their opening ceremonies.

The highlight of our year though, was the invitation to participate in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario's Community Exhibits Program. This exhibit, at the Legislative Building at Queen's Park, will be on display for a period of six months from the installation date in late September. (A photograph of this display can be seen at the museum as well as on the website)

And last but not least, the donation by a local collector of his entire life-long collection of radios.

Some special visitors (notable, rather; every one is special) to the museum over the past year:

• Electrical and Computer Engineering staff, University of Waterloo

• Group of retirees, The Satellites (aptly-named !)

• Amateur Radio clubs from Elora, Toronto, Brantford and Guelph

• Industry Canada (two visits)

• Canadian Automotive Historians Association

• Individuals from Belgium and other countries

• Residents of Sunnyside Seniors Home (Kitchener)

• Scouts Canada,, 2nd Guelph (were given a short history lesson on wired telegraphy, radio and Amateur Radio and were each taught to send their name in Morse code)

Noreen Irwin-Hann, VE3AQZ
Curator

 [ Back to Menu ]