Sponsors Help Tell the Stories of 1812

An innovative Canadian War Museum exhibition about a war that shaped Canada’s history, but which many Canadians know little about—no wonder 1812 presented an ideal sponsorship opportunity for TD Bank Group, the exhibition’s National Presenting Sponsor.

One of the largest and most ambitious exhibitions ever mounted by the Canadian War Museum, 1812 explores the War of 1812 from the contrasting perspectives of the four main participants: Canadians (including Canadian First Peoples), Americans, the British and Native Americans. The theme of 1812 is that most events are experienced from multiple perspectives, which together provide a more nuanced understanding than any single perspective. Through remarkable artifacts, high-realism mannequins, models, works of art, audio-visuals, atmospheric lighting, sounds and interactive elements, the exhibition vividly conveys the motivations and aspirations of each participant, their experience of the war and its effect on their future.

Understanding history is the first step to understanding the present. TD Bank Group is proud to support organizations and institutions that bring historical events of national significance clearly to life. “As the National Presenting Sponsor, we are delighted to join with the Canadian War Museum to help ensure that Canadians learn about the many sides of this founding battle, which played such a key role in shaping our nation,” says John See, Executive Vice President, Wealth Management, TD Bank Group.

John See, Executive Vice President, Wealth Management, TD Bank Group, CWM 2012-0039-0047, © Canadian War Museum

(L to R) Marc Chalifoux, TD, Community Relations, Gary Clement, TD, Government Relations, Dr. Peter MacLeod, Historian, Canadian War Museum, John See, TD, Wealth Management, and guest, CWM 2012-0039-0020, © Canadian War Museum

A National Reach

1812 was also a natural fit for the exhibition’s National Supporting Sponsor, Ancestry.ca—the company’s business is educating Canadians about their family histories. “People who are interested in military history are interested in genealogy, and vice versa,” says Robert Ryan, Executive Director of Development for the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “Knowing this, Ancestry.ca developed a special offer for visitors to 1812.”

While reaching their target audiences and expressing their corporate values in engaging ways, sponsors like TD Bank Group and Ancestry.ca also contribute to communities across Canada by helping the Museums make Canada’s rich history accessible to as many Canadians as possible. Virtual and travelling versions of 1812 will bring the perspectives and history of the War of 1812 to Canadians from coast to coast to coast. A companion catalogue, Four Wars of 1812 by Dr. Peter MacLeod, co-published with Douglas & McIntyre, is also available.

To learn more about sponsorship giving at the Museums, contact Jean-Charles D’Amours, Director, Major Gifts and Sponsorships at 819-776-8272.