The Secrets of Radar Museum

The Secrets of Radar Museum

The Secrets of Radar Museum
4.5
Military MuseumsSpeciality MuseumsHistory Museums
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
At The Secrets of Radar Museum we ask you to imagine keeping a secret for 50 years. Could you do it? Thousands of Canadian men and women who served in radar during World War II did just that. They took their oath of secrecy to heart, keeping the truth from family and friends, many taking their service history to the grave before the Official Secrets Act expired in 1991. They were radar mechanics, operators, teachers, trainers, physicists, and researchers. Their actions, deeds, and experiences went unknown and unrecorded when many of the most important histories of WWII were being written. The Secrets of Radar Museum preserves their history through physical exhibits, a substantial research archive, and oral histories recounted by the veterans themselves. Their legacy informs the radar history of the Cold War, which we also explore in displays and online. Radar is a ubiquitous part of our modern lives, so pervasive that most of the time we aren't even aware of it. We exist to remind you that regular men and women, just like you and me, affected not just the outcome of WWII, but the technological and scientific trajectory of the 20th century. We are the only museum of this kind in Canada.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles16 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
3
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Danny
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023
We went here during our holiday, We got there rather late in the afternoon (around 4), so not much time was left before closing. We got a tour of the museum from (if I remember well) Steve and Elizabeth. They were so enthusiastic and passionate about the topic that we stayed well after closing time enjoying their explanations and stories. It's the stories that make this museum come alive. We learned a great deal about a topic we knew little about.
Written August 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Deceangi
Wales49 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2014 • Friends
The Secrets of Radar Museum is a lovely small museum about the history of Radar in Canada. It tells the stories and the history of the people who who helped build, develop, operate, maintain RADAR. Maya, the curator is very knowledgeable and brings history back to life. The exhibits are very good, and the descriptions are very clear. The size and weight of the WWII radar is amazing, as it is so large and very heavy. I was not aware of this part of Canada's history. It was also very interesting to hear about the beginnings of the microwave oven. Even though the museum is small, has limited opening times and is behind behind a hospital (Parkwood). it is very much worth a visit, Look at their website: http://secretsofradar.com, and you will see what a gem it is.
Written July 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Deceangli
Deeside, UK17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2015 • Friends
This is a great little museum. I found it fascinating, I did not realise the history of radar in Canada. The staff are very knowledgeable and are full of enthusiasm on the subject. If you like history and are interested in WWII, make sure you go to this lovely museum. It has been a secret for far too long!
Written April 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

interceptpubs
Columbus, IN964 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Solo
First off, this museum has moved - it is now out by the airport at 2155 Crumlin. It shares a building with the local chapter of the RCAF Association with the radar museum occupying the back side of the building.

Radar is one of the great technological innovations of the Second World War. Radar allowed military forces to find and precisely measure the range between them and enemy ships and aircraft using radio waves - hence, RAdio Detection And Ranging or RADAR. Of course, getting the technology out of the laboratory and into the hands of soldiers, sailors, and airmen required training the military operators who would use this technology. Being based on radio waves, the basic principles were not that dissimilar to operating radio communication sets. Canada, being a sparsely populated country involving great distances, had a particular affinity with amateur or HAM radio and, hence, many radio operators who could make use of their background to good advantage. It's not surprising when the British were looking for more and more radar technicians and a place away from combat to train them, that Canada came to mind. London, Ontario was chosen as a key training site for these new technicians - along the way even some Americans got their initial instruction on the new technology here as well.

This museum provides some good background on the development of radar and its application in World War II and even beyond to more recent times. Of course, the radar school operated in London is also covered in good detail.

We spent a little under an hour here, but then we ran into someone from the local RCAF Association chapter who showed us their meeting space/museum area as well. Admission is free.
Written August 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

khough
14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019 • Couples
Absolutely fantastic tour, displays, and information. Steve showed us around and was a delight. We learned so much and were having such a great time we didn't even realize we'd been there for 2 hours! Definitely worth the venture.
Written May 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joe Abley
London, Canada2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Couples
A friendly and fascinating insight into some local history I knew nothing about, staffed by knowledgable and enthusiastic volunteers. Note (as others have) that the airport has moved out to Crumlin Side Road, out by the airport.
Written April 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scampersmom
London26 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Family
We went to the Secrets of the Radar Museum for Doors Open London. We had never been before and weren't sure what to expect. We found the staff helpful and the history interesting. It's not a very large museum but it was worth stopping in for a look. Our daughter is 7 and found it interesting as well. She enjoyed writing her name in code.
Written October 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mtrodgers99
Montreal, Canada379 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Couples
This museum is a bit difficult to find. Set your GPS for the intersection of Commissioner’s Road and Western Counties Road, then drive behind the Parkwood Institute. The map on their web page sort of gives it to you. Their building is in remnants of a veterans recuperation development, and it is actually a converted house. This is a low budget museum. They have quite a few professionally done information panels, but the display of artifacts is sub-standard, in my opinion. The artifacts are principally electronics involved in radar, of course, but there are also uniforms and personal mementos. I already knew how radar functioned, but I learned things about Canada’s role in implementing radar as a weapon in World War Two.
Written August 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SteveV
Plattsburgh, NY60 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Solo
Steve did an amazing job guiding me around the exhibits, answering my questions, and providing detailed knowledge about the history of radar.
Written July 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

raeliled
London, Canada1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Solo
Just to let people who are looking to visit know, the location of the museum address has change to 2155b Crumlin Sideroad. It looks like they have tried to update, it is adjacent to the Wing but the street address doesn't seem to have gone through properly.
Written July 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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THE SECRETS OF RADAR MUSEUM - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2025)

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