About

HISTORY

A Dream Realized

The Friends of the Mounted Police Heritage Centre is a non-profit organization committed to supporting the RCMP Heritage Centre through volunteer and monetary support. Over the past 20 years, the Friends have donated thousands of volunteer hours and more than $2,000,000 towards the upkeep of the former RCMP Centennial Museum and the current RCMP Heritage Centre.

Founding Fathers

Originally known as the Friends of the Mounted Police Museum, the Friends formed in 1988 after Malcolm Wake, then Curator of the RCMP Centennial Museum, addressed a meeting of the RCMP Veterans Association and suggested that they form a “Friends” group. S/Sgt. Ivan Thue (Rtd), and Sgt. Kenneth E Campbell (Rtd) immediately responded by gathering the necessary information to create a nationally registered charitable organization 1989.
The RCMP Heritage Centre would not be where it is today without the generous support of the Friends of the Mounted Police Heritage Centre, beginning with the passion and drive of these three Founding Fathers.

Malcolm Wake

S/Sgt. Ivan Thue (Rtd.)

Sgt. Kenneth E. Campbell (Rtd.)

Gift Shop

At the same time, an agreement with the RCMP allowed the Friends to operate the Scarlet and Gold gift shop in the Centennial Museum. This gift shop improved services to visitors, who up until that time could only purchase baseball caps and some small souvenirs from the Commissionaire on duty. Net profits from Scarlet and Gold gift shop sales were wholly committed to supporting improvements to the RCMP Centennial Museum in the early years, and to supporting work to develop the new Heritage Centre since 1999. In addition to these sale proceeds, many Friends have made generous personal donations over the years, and memberships have also provided much needed revenue.

We are very proud of the fact that over the past 20 years the Friends have donated over $1,000,000 to the RCMP Centennial Museum, and that more recently over $1,000,000 has been committed to the capital development of the new Heritage Centre. The success of the Friends is a testament to the power of community and individual commitment. Volunteers have long since been a critical element in our success.

From 1990-2006 the gift shop operated with only two volunteer employees, one full-time and one part-time, with the rest of the work being done by volunteers. Most of these volunteers were members of the RCMP Veterans Association (Regina Division) and their spouses, although many others were interested supporters from the broader community.

While the Heritage Centre gift shop, the Central Trading Post, is now owned and operated by the RCMP Heritage Centre, Friends volunteers continue to play a critical role in providing services, ensuring increased proceeds from sales will continue to support the operations of the Heritage Centre for years to come.

The RCMP Heritage Centre

All of the Friends are extremely proud to see the dream we first imagined back in 1988 become a reality with the opening of the RCMP Heritage Centre in 2007. While we are excited about the realization of our dream, we understand all too well that this brings with it tremendous responsibilities to continue our work; we remain as committed as ever to ensuring that the RCMP story is shared around the world.

We also understand that we could not have succeeded in helping make the RCMP Heritage Centre a reality without the tremendous support of our members and supporters. We are proud of the fact that we have over 1,100 members in every Canadian province, in almost every U.S. state, as well as in England, Scotland, Germany, Spain, Australia, Ireland and Austria. Memberships are $35.00 annually and include benefits such as our quarterly newsletter – The Friendly Notes – that keeps Friends up to date on what’s going on at the Heritage Centre as well as provides fascinating insights into the history of the RCMP.

For more information about becoming a member of the Friends of the Mounted Police Heritage Centre, CLICK HERE for our online registration and payment options, EMAIL US or write to us at:

Friends of the Mounted Police Heritage Centre
5907 Dewdney Avenue
Regina, SK S4T 0P4

We hope that you will visit the RCMP Heritage Centre and share with us our excitement in seeing our dream come true.

WHAT WE DO

Since 1992, the Friends have contributed more than $2 million dollars to the RCMP Centennial Museum, the RCMP Heritage Centre, and the RCMP Historical Collections Unit.

DETAILED LIST OF FRIENDS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
SUMMARY OF FRIENDS’ CONTRIBUTIONS

The RCMP Centennial Museum

The Friends contributed $510,536 to the RCMP Centennial Museum between 1992 and 2007. Photo: RCMP

The RCMP Heritage Centre

The Friends have contributed $1,461,012 to the RCMP Heritage Centre to year-end 2015.

The Horse Program

The Friends contributed $179,712 towards the care of horses in the horse program from 1999 to 2007, when the program was in place under the Friends.

1957 Meteor Police Car Restoration

The Friends donated $11,643 to the RCMP Historical Collections Unit to help acquire and repair a 1957 Meteor Police Car, which is now prominently on display in the RCMP Heritage Centre’s “March of the Mounties” exhibit. Additionally, the Friends have contributed $191,834 to the RCMP Historical Collections Unit between 2007 and year-end 2015.

Camaro Renewal

The Friends contributed $11,677 for the renewal of the Camaro on behalf of the RCMP Historical Collections Unit. The car goes on display outside the RCMP Heritage Centre during the summer months on the Princess Royal Walk. Photo: RCMP

Seven Pound Bronze Mark II Field Gun Restoration

In 2002, the Friends contributed $21,200 for the restoration of the two Seven Pound Bronze Mark II Field Guns that stand guard next to the RCMP Cenotaph adjacent to Sleigh Parade Square at “Depot”. Serial No. 377 stands on the left and Serial No. 397 is on the right. Photo: RCMP

STAY INFORMED

Not a member or regular donor? The best way to get up to date information on what we’re doing is to regularly check out our Friendly Notes. Don’t think you’ll remember? Got an email address? Sign up for our email distribution list. It takes less than 30 seconds and we promise, we’re not in the business of sharing our contacts so it’s safe and secure. If you’d like a physical copy mailed to you, you can phone Dani at 306-719-3003 and she’ll put you on our list.

The Friends exist to support the work of the RCMP Heritage Centre. We pretty much have a hand in helping with all aspects of their operations. To see what they’re up to, check out their website at rcmpchc.com or sign up for their e-newsletter.

They’re also pretty savvy on social media. You can follow them:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

BECOME A MEMBER

There’s a common misconception that you have to be a retired RCMP veteran to be a “Friend”. Though our roots were born from the Regina RCMP Veterans Association, we’re happy to say that all who share our values are welcome. Our membership consists of current active RCMP members, RCMP civilian staff, members from other police and para-military units, spouses and family of current, fallen, retired and deceased RCMP members, and others with “no direct tie to the Force”.

Despite our diversity, we all have a common love and ambition to see RCMP stories shared, and shared well. As of January 1, 2015 we were 1,100 strong and growing with members from every Canadian province, in almost every U.S. state, as well as in England, Scotland, Germany, Spain, Australia, Ireland and Austria.

One of the easiest and quickest ways to support us without making too big of a commitment out of the gate, is to become a member of the Friends. It costs $35 dollars a year and acts as a gateway to all kinds of great information about our organization and the good work that we’re supporting at the RCMP Heritage Centre.

CLICK HERE to register and pay. We look forward to welcoming you to our organization.