February 13, 2015

Cross-Canada Tour Comes to Markham

Canada: Day 1 — Explore First Steps, First Impressions and First Experiences as a Newcomer to Canada

TORONTO, ON — The cross-Canada tour of Canada: Day 1, an exciting new exhibition from the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has moved from its initial venue in Nanaimo, British Columbia, and will open at the Markham Museum near Toronto for Winterfest celebrations on Family Day, February 16, 2015. The tour will continue to Western Development Museums, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Edmonton; Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, Quebec; and will end at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Canada: Day 1 is a travelling exhibition produced by the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 as a legacy project of our nation’s 150th anniversary in 2017. Supported nationally by RBC Foundation, Canada: Day 1 explores immigrants’ diverse experiences, from Confederation to present day. Newcomers’ unique and shared experiences—across time and cultures—are highlighted in a thoughtful way through oral histories, archival images, original artworks, objects and your participation. Explore Canada: Day 1 through the themes of Transitions, Arrival, Encounters, Finding Your Way andReflections. You will be transported back to your first day in Canada, or inspired to imagine yourself in a newcomer’s shoes.

“We are delighted that Canadians will be able to experience this fascinating exhibition,” said Marie Chapman, CEO, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. “Day 1 in a new country is an important milestone. Whether you came to Canada by ship 50 years ago, or by plane five years ago, whether you came on your own, or surrounded by family, that first day as an immigrant is experienced in a very personal way.”

For exhibition placement information, click here. The national tour is currently as follows:

To celebrate Canada’s Road to 2017 and the country’s 150th anniversary, the Museum will simultaneously be presenting Canada: Day 1 in two locations; as a travelling exhibition at the Canadian Museum of History as well as an expanded version onsite. Please note: dates and venues are subject to change.

Lord Cultural Resources is proud to have been the lead in the development of Canada: Day 1 as well as the new exhibitions of Canada’s new national museum Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, opening starting in May 2015.

“We are honoured to have been involved in this engaging exhibition as it travels our nation for Canada’s 150th anniversary,” said Yvonne Tang, Director, Exhibition and Events, Lord Cultural Resources and Project Manager forCanada: Day 1. “We are delighted to have worked with the team on this project, excited to feature original artwork from talented artists and honoured to share experiences and impressions of immigrants and refugees on their first days in Canada.”

Winterfest celebration takes place at Markham Museum on February 16, 2015, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is $3 per person (children under two are free). For further information, click here.

Be sure to share your ”first” by visiting Canada: Day 1 physical exhibition or online. You can also download the free mobile app to explore more personal immigration stories, share your own impressions and engage in a national conversation @Pier21 #CanadaDay1!

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is Canada’s newest national museum and Atlantic Canada’s only national museum, mandated to explore the theme of immigration to Canada in order to enhance public understanding of the experiences of immigrants as they arrived in Canada. The Museum has embraced its new national museum status with a number of exciting projects including an expansion, re-installation of the permanent exhibitions, and a travelling exhibition entitled Canada: Day 1 travelling across Canada from 2014 to the nation’s 150th anniversary in 2017. For further information on the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, visit www.pier21.ca.

Lord Cultural Resources is honoured to have been selected by the Museum’s leadership to help them achieve their goals. In 2010, Lord completed an interpretive master plan that identified a roadmap for achieving the Museum’s expanded mandate. In 2011, we were further contracted to provide planning and design for the Canada: Day 1 travelling exhibition in partnership with Kubik who provided fabrication services. Lord is currently engaged to manage the design and fabrication of the new permanent exhibition, as well as lead the content development process for some 20,000 square feet of new exhibitions. The exhibitions will be located in the historic refurbished pier, where thousands of immigrants entered Canada. In order to facilitate this expansion, Lord provided the architects with the systems and standards required to ensure that all display spaces met the museum standards for environmental controls. The new exhibition for the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 will open to the public starting May 2015. For further information on Lord Cultural Resources, visitwww.lord.ca.

For media information, contact:

Cailin MacDonald, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, cmacdonald@pier21.ca 

Andrea Ott, Lord Cultural Resources, aott@lord.ca