QAHN is proud to announce that the recipient of the 2026 Richard Evans Award is the Baie-des-Chaleurs Military Museum (BCMM) in New Richmond, which has been showcasing the region’s military traditions since 1995.
The museum is housed in the former Oak Bay United Church which was acquired, relocated, and carefully renovated to serve as the Baie-des-Chaleurs Military Museum. “This major undertaking was made possible thanks to the dedication and hard work of a committed team of volunteers,” explains Tom Eden, the BCMM’s executive director.
Volunteers with the museum have kept busy over the past three decade, collecting artefacts, developing a database, and creating permanent exhibits. “Over 3,500 military artefacts and more than 10,000 documents related to our region’s military history have been collected, catalogued, and preserved,” Eden says, adding, “This effort was led by volunteers who managed the intake, organization, and storage of these invaluable pieces of our heritage.”
The museum’s Military Memories Database holds over 500 personal stories of military members from the region. This volunteer-driven project includes stories from those who served in the Boer War, both World Wars, the Korean War, NATO and United Nations missions, and the Afghanistan War. Along with the database of stories, the museum has developed its permanent exhibit, which showcases the region’s rich military history and serves as the heart of its public offering.
Currently, “the BCMM is developing a landscaped commemorative park on the museum grounds,” Eden explains. “This space will feature interpretation panels that share key moments and stories from our region’s military past. Each panel will include QR codes linking visitors to additional content and resources, providing a richer, interactive experience and deeper connection to our shared history.” The museum’s mobile exhibits have travelled around the region, bringing military history directly to the community, sharing stories of the Battle of Hong Kong and Gesgapegiag’s Great War Soldiers, among others.
A source of pride for the museum is its educational outreach. The museum welcomes visitors and school groups each year from French, English, and Mi’kmaq schools across the region. These visits offer young people the opportunity to connect with local history and learn about Gaspesian military heritage. There are also presentations at local schools and other venues.
Finally, the BCMM offers assistance to individuals researching their family’s military history. From helping to locate service records, providing access to the museum’s archives, or offering guidance on research methods, museum volunteers are keeping military history alive in the Gaspé region.