Acknowledgement
The sacred land on which our museum stands, has been a site of human activity for 15,000 years. This land is the territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. The territory was the subject of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy, and the Ojibwe and allied nations, to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes.
Today, the meeting place of Toronto is still the home to many indigenous people from across Turtle Island. We acknowledge the harms of the past, are committed to improving relationships in the spirit of reconciliation, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to serve the communities on this territory.
We also acknowledge the thousands of indigenous and Métis soldiers who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces including The Queen’s Own Rifles (see partial list), many of who were awarded medals for bravery and heroism,and many others who were wounded or gave their lives in service.
Mandate
The Museum was established in 1956 under the authority of the Regimental Executive Committee with the following mandate:
“to encourage the study of Canadian military history and in particular the history of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, to rescue from oblivion the memories of its members, to obtain and preserve narratives in print, manuscript or otherwise of their travels, adventures, labours and observations, to secure and preserve objects illustrative of the civil, literary and military history of the Regiment, and to maintain a museum and a library.”
The museum’s interest includes First World War CEF Battalions perpetuated by the Queen’s Own Rifles:
- 3rd Battalion
- 83rd Battalion
- 95th Battalion
- 166th Battalion
- 198th Battalion
- 255th Battalion
Mission
Permanently housed within Casa Loma, which was built by former Commanding Officer Sir Henry Pellatt, the QOR Museum and Archives will preserve the records, photographs, and artefacts of the Regiment, and present the story of Canada’s oldest continuously serving infantry regiment, its association with Casa Loma, the City of Toronto, and to the public, in a modern and engaging manner.
Vision
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Museum and Archives will be a modern, historical, educational and rewarding experience to “all” who visit Casa Loma, and continue to be known by peers as the best example of a volunteer organized and managed “specialized” museum and archival collection.
Strategic Directions
- Protection and Preservation of the Colleciton
- Effectively Interpret, Educate and Incorporate Technology
- Capacity and Opportunities for Outreach
- Awareness of the Regiment, the Museum, and the Collections
- Ensure Effective Governance and Management
Strategic Plan
On 21 September 2023, the Museum Board of Governors approved an updated five-year “Telling our Stories: Strategic Plan 2023-2028.”
On 1 June 2017, the Museum Board of Governors adopted a five-year strategic plan from 2017-2022. You can read that Strategic Plan here.
Museum Board Members
- Ms. Michele McCarthy (Chair
- Mr. Jim Lutz (Past Chair)
- Major Anthony S. Schultz, CD (Ret’d)
- Captain Adam Hermant, CD (Ret’d)
- Ms. Jenna Zuschlag Misener
- Ms. Lisa Holmes
- Mr. Tristan Strathy
- Major John M. Stephens, CD (Ret’d) (Director & Acting Archivist)
- CWO Shaun Kelly, CD (Ret’d) (Curator)
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive 