Mail, Rail and Retail: Connecting Canadians

The respective histories of the mail, rail and retail industries are closely intertwined with the larger story of Canada. Contributing to the development of this nation, these providers have often found occasion to work together in their ongoing efforts to supply communication, retail and transportation services to all Canadians. In 2002, the Canada Post Corporation, Canadian Pacific Railway and Hudson’s Bay Company, along with the Canadian Postal Museum/Canadian Museum of Civilization formalized a partnership to develop a traveling exhibition entitled "Mail, Rail and Retail: Connecting Canadians".

Lord Cultural Resources was engaged to provide complete turn-key services including interpretive planning, curatorial research, marketing strategies, design, and fabrication, to develop the 3,000 square foot exhibition. Using multi-sensory displays and a unique modular system created specially for this traveling installation, Mail, Rail and Retail explored the story of how three distinct industries have impacted the development of Canada.

After its successful showing through 2004 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec, the exhibition traveled to museums across Canada. Carol Lacourte, the Senior Manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway, wrote to us after the project was complete:

“Thanks also to Lord [Cultural Resources] for doing such a tremendous job putting Mail, Rail, and Retail exhibit together. You were the glue that kept the whole project on track, and the CPR team has very much appreciated and enjoyed its association with Lord. The comments we have received on the exhibit have all been positive and enthusiastic, with many mentioning the successful and imaginative way the exhibit blended the three histories into one.”