Terry Fox van displayed and preserved at the Canadian Museum of Civilization

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Gatineau, Quebec, June 27, 2012—The Econoline camper van that was Terry Fox’s home away from home during his heroic Marathon of Hope in 1980 has a new home of its own. The iconic vehicle is being temporarily stored and preserved at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec. It will also be publicly displayed in the Museum’s Lobby during the Canada Day weekend, June 26 to July 3, 2012. 

The beige vehicle was Terry’s sanctuary and travelling billboard. Side panels announced his name and purpose, and marked the progress of his historic and courageous attempt to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. The van is owned by the Fox family but is now being stored in museum-quality conditions to ensure its preservation until a permanent public home is found. 

“Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope are a critical part of Canadian history,” said Mark O’Neill, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, which operates Canada’s national museums of human and military history. “We are honoured to be supporting the preservation and management of the Terry Fox Collection, whichdocumentsTerry’s journey and ours as a nation and as a people. Ultimately, this work will advance our shared vision of finding a home for all things Terry that can be enjoyed by all Canadians and citizens the world over.”

“It is of considerable comfort and a tremendous relief that Terry’s Marathon of Hope home is now in good and capable hands,” said Terry’s brother Darrell Fox. “We are grateful to the Canadian Museum of Civilization for its help in preserving this important piece of our national heritage.”

The van was a constant presence throughout the Marathon of Hope and a familiar and stirring sight to millions of Canadians who saw it in person or followed Terry’s progress through the media. Fully restored in 2008 by its maker, the Ford Motor Company, the van appears today as it did during Terry’s run. It will remain in storage at the Museum for the foreseeable future.

The Canadian Museum of Civilization is the centre for research and public information on the social and human history of the country. Located on the shores of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, the Museum is Canada’s largest and most popular cultural institution, attracting over 1.2 million visitors each year. The Museum of Civilization’s principal role is to preserve and promote the heritage of Canada for present and future generations, thereby contributing to the promotion and enhancement of Canadian identity.

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