Wilson Foundation: A gift for Canadian students

Lynton “Red” Wilson, Chairman of the Wilson Foundation.

When we think about education and museums, we often imagine school children happily experiencing historical concepts through artifacts. The fit is natural: students connect with the deep heritage museums collect. But developing the educational programs that will explore the new Canadian History Hall at the Canadian Museum of History requires professional dedication — and dedicated financial support.

This is where Lynton “Red” Wilson steps in. Chairman of the Wilson Foundation, Mr. Wilson knows hands-on experience enriches education in ways that are fundamental and long lasting. The Wilson Foundation looks for educational projects that create opportunities for youth. His foundation’s $600,000 gift to the Museum will transform educational offerings over many years.

The gift will support outreach and engagement, benefitting students and their teachers well beyond the Museum walls. New programs, online resources for teachers and travelling educational resources are all part of the plan for the Wilson Foundation gift. All programs will respond to various curriculum demands that differ from province to province.

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The donation has put wind under the wings of Museum programmers, explains Lisa Leblanc, Director of Creative Development and Learning. “We are so grateful that the Wilson Foundation showed such interest in reaching teachers and students across the country,” she says. “The Foundation’s passion for outreach and the impact it can have on Canadians was an inspiration to us in developing the program.”

Creating new exhibitions is one important job of the Museum. Engaging youth in Canada’s history is another, one that Mr. Wilson knows well. “In our conversations with the Museum’s program leaders, we explored how the Museum could play a leadership role in engaging schools and communities,” he says. “In this sesquicentennial year, we feel it is important for key institutions to reach out to Canadians across the country.”