Ryan Goldsworthy admits a fondness for an immersive trench exhibit and a PoW escape tunnel recreation from Canada's two world wars at the museum he now commands.
Another is the museum's Enigma machine, a Second World War German keyboard-like device that transmitted secret communications, whose codes were broken by the Allies.
Those are just a few of the facets that drew him to take the helm of The Military Museums in Calgary, and examples of what he envisions as a more user-friendly, wider-appealing historical destination.
Engaging Displays and Broader Appeal
"It's something we want to do more of, engaging displays," said Goldsworthy, who, at age 37, is the museum's youngest and first civilian director.
"We want to increase visitor awareness, be more engaging and more accessible to all demographics."
Goldsworthy brings 15 years of museum experience to Canada's second-largest military exhibit, having served as director and curator at the Royal Canadian Military Institute and having led Toronto's first Indigenous artifact repatriation project.
And taking over the reins of The Military Museums is a homecoming of sorts for Goldsworthy, who was an educator there and then its de facto First World War historian at the time of that conflict's centenary a decade ago.
A Vision for a World-Class Museum
He views his latest posting as an opportunity to heighten the 36-year-old museum's profile.
"It has an excellent reputation and has an excellent opportunity in fulfilling its potential in becoming a world-class museum," said Goldsworthy.
"The biggest feedback we hear is it's a hidden gem and we want to remove that hidden part, and that will require us to deepen our community connections . . . we want visitors to leave this place with a much deeper connection to the people, events and stories that have shaped Canada's history."
Outreach and Expansion Plans
To do that, he'll seek greater outreach to veterans, community and school groups, as well as international tourism, and pursue "thoughtful reinterpretation," he said.
Last year, the museum — which houses 80,000 artifacts — attracted 48,000 visitors, not including school groups and Remembrance Day attendance.
It began its life with four galleries showcasing then-Calgary-based units, but has since expanded to eight, including extensive air force, naval and Cold War exhibits.
An armoured vehicle collection includes an East German T-72 tank and a Soviet T-34/85 tank rescued from destruction at a target range, which might have fought in the 1945 Battle of Berlin.
Goldsworthy said they'll ultimately refurbish all those galleries, and expand the Air Force Museum of Alberta component by 60 per cent.
They'll also exhibit two more original First World War Victoria Crosses they now possess, the highest decoration for valour awarded to Commonwealth soldiers — medals no Canadian has won since 1945, he said.
