Travelling exhibit explores connection between military, sport in Aurora

Partnership brings unique exhibit to town

Yorkregion.com
November 5, 2018
Teresa Latchford

The Aurora Museum and Archives has partnered with the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame to bring a unique exhibit to town.

Play Hard, Fight Hard: Sport and the Canadian Military is a travelling exhibit that was created in a partnership between The Military Museums in Calgary and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. The 300 artifacts spanning 14 sports represent the relationship between sports and military service dating back to the First World War.

Personal stories of honoured members from the Hall of Fame that served in multiple branches of the military are highlighted throughout the exhibit. The story of Myrtle Cook, a female runner who competed for Canada at the 1928 Summer Olympics and took gold in the women’s 4 x 100 metres. Her cleats are included in the exhibit. Cook later went on to train military recruits in Montreal.

“I didn’t expect to learn so much about the connection between sport and the military,” said Michelle Johnson, Aurora museum collections and exhibitions co-ordinator. “The way it is put together is really quite impressive.”

No matter your interest, there's a little something for everyone in the exhibit, everything from boxing to equestrian sports.

The exhibit will remain at the Aurora Museum and Archives until Jan. 23.