Welcome

March of the Mounties threePhoto: Troy Fleece

Visitors to the Centre will learn about the history of the RCMP as well as modern workings of the Force.  Main exhibits include:

Creating a Mounted Police - The North-West Mounted Police, created by an Act of Parliament in 1873, was formed to establish friendly relations with the Indigenous peoples, enforce Canadian authority, pave the way for settlers, and maintain law and order on the frontier.   Sir John A. Macdonald modeled the NWMP on the Royal Irish Constabulary, a military police force famed for its competence and its fairness.  Macdonald was also inspired by the U.S. Army's mounted rifle troops.

Maintaining Law and Order in the West - By 1885 law and order had been firmly established in the Northwest by the NWMP. The Force had suppressed the whisky trade, established fair and amicable relations with Native tribes, and was ensuring the safety of the settlers and rail workers. This exhibit highlights the careers of James F. Macleod, James M. Walsh, and the arrival of Sitting Bull in Canada. The Northwest Campaign is also featured with a special emphasis on the sharing of the story through the perspective of the government, the Cree and Métis.

Protecting the North - Arctic patrols were carried out by the NWMP to ensure law and order, maintain good relations with native people, and protect sovereignty. Additionally, the NWMP carried the mail and reported the weather conditions, monitored fish and game, migratory birds, timber resources, and travel routes. This exhibit highlights the challenges the NWMP faced, the Lost Patrol and the Mad Trapper of Rat River.

Serving All of Canada - This exhibit shares with visitors the evolution of the Force throughout the 20th Century in response to an ever-changing community. Topics include the NWMP receiving its royal designation, Community Policing, and modern day intelligence gathering to counteract terrorism. Specific exhibits include: The RCMP in the 20th Century and Meeting the Global Challenge.

Answering Duty's Call - This exhibit showcases the RCMP's global role in the past, brings to life the dangers and challenges of controlling international criminal activity in terrorism, and illustrates how the Force works to stay ahead of criminals. Specific exhibits include: Becoming a Member of the RCMP and Fighting Crime.

Cracking the Case - This exhibit presents the high tech side of modern policing and is very hands-on for visitors with many technologies introduced through interactive exhibits. The Cracking the Case area showcases the importance of learning and knowledge in the RCMP and demonstrates that the Force constantly works to stay at the leading edge of policing techniques. Specific topics covered include: Solving Crimes with Science, Fingerprinting, Counterfeiting, Tire Track and Shoe Wear Analysis, Chemistry in Forensic Science, Ballistics, and DNA Analysis.

March of the Mounties - The March of the Mounties is a powerful, evocative large artifact exhibit that stretches the full 30 meter length of the main exhibition hall. It is a strong central design statement that builds on and anchors the core exhibit areas of the RCMP Heritage Centre, reflecting the continuing evolution of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The message is further reinforced by large-scale graphics that form a thematic backdrop on the walls located on either side of the March; the graphics trace the geography of Canada from the West to East and the historical evolution of the Force from its origins until the present day.

In addition to the main exhibits, the RCMP Heritage Centre boasts a 27 minute long multimedia presentation "Tour of Duty" in our 124 seat theatre, a Community Programming room, temporary exhibit gallery, gift shop and food concession.