Canadian War Museum launches national Supply Line program for schools

OTTAWA, Oct. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - A scratchy uniform jacket, an intricately engraved shell casing and a First World War recruitment poster — students across Canada can now literally hold these pieces of history in their hands thanks to Supply Line, an educational program commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War. The Canadian War Museum is thrilled to officially launch today this free, national program at Brookfield High School in Ottawa.

"Supply Line is already proving to be very popular, with over 150 requests received from teachers from across the country," says James Whitham, the Director General of the Canadian War Museum. "First World War Discovery Boxes have been reserved for schools from all ten provinces and one of three territories. We couldn't be happier."

Teachers throughout Canada can arrange to borrow one of 25 Supply Line First World War Discovery Boxes for a two-week period at no cost. Each box contains authentic objects and reproductions of items such as barbed wire and steel helmets, as well as lesson plans and background documents for teachers. The boxes are intended to promote active classroom learning and discussion, and give students in Grades 4 to 12 a tangible way to imagine what life was like for Canadians who experienced the First World War. For more information or to book a Box, visit www.warmuseum.ca/supplyline.

The Canadian War Museum is grateful to Operation Veteran and the ongoing generosity of individuals, schools, foundations, companies and organizations from across Canada whose philanthropic support has helped transform Supply Line from an idea to a reality.

The Canadian War Museum also gratefully acknowledges the support of its Official Partners of the Centenary of the First World War: John and Pattie Cleghorn and Family; H.Col (Ret'd) John C. Eaton, O.Ont., K.St.J., D.Com. and Sally Horsfall Eaton, S.S.St.J., C.D., R.N., LL.D; The Friends of the Canadian War Museum; TD Bank Group; VISITFLANDERS and the R. Howard Webster Foundation.

The Canadian War Museum is Canada's national museum of military history. Its mission is to promote public understanding of Canada's military history in its personal, national and international dimensions.

Operation Veteran was founded in 2009 by Dr. Paul Kavanagh, in association with the Canadian War Museum, to honour veterans and raise awareness of their sacrifices. Operation Veteran provides free meals in the War Museum's cafeteria to all visiting Canadian veterans and supports education programs at the Museum and in classrooms across Canada, including Supply Line.

For more information visit www.warmuseum.ca. Follow us on twitter.com/CanWarMuseum

Image with caption: "Two students at Brookfield High School in Ottawa examine one of the objects in the Supply Line First World War Discovery Box. (CNW Group/Canadian Museum of History)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141009_C2919_PHOTO_EN_6565.jpg

SOURCE: Canadian Museum of History

For further information: Media contacts: Yasmine Mingay, Director, Public Affairs, Canadian War Museum, Telephone: [phone], [e-mail]; Avra Gibbs Lamey, Senior Communications and Media Relations Officer, Canadian War Museum, Telephone: [phone], [e-mail]