Destroying the Past

For anyone out there that knows me will know that I am a huge history buff. I have also done a lot of research into Oshawa's history as I believe that everyone should know about the background of there own city. People dont seemed to realize that Oshawa has a pretty rich and interesting history. From Robert McLaughlin to the local Indian tribes that used to live around here like The Mohawks and Mississaugas. Oshawa also has a reputation of not keeping their historical landmarks aware to the public and worse wanting to tear them all down. Case in point is the Rundle house next to the hospital. Which brings me to possibly the most interesting piece of history that few know about and that is Camp X.

For those who dont know, Camp X was a World War II training facility that trained spies, code breakers and interrogators. In World War II even the enigma device was brought here to try and break its code. It even had underground tunnels and a range where they tested weapons and explosives. In terms of historical value this place is priceless. Since World War II Oshawa has done a terrible job of preserving Camp X for posterity. Right now its little more than a one story building, dilapidated, boarded up and sitting in a lot that is overgrown with vegetation. Its such a sad state for something so important. Oshawa did hint that they had a plan to restore it and turn it into a museum but I'll get back to that in a minute.

The second matter I want to get to is the Robert Stuart Aeronautical Museum. This is a small World War II museum located at the Oshawa airport dedicated to the Airforce. This is a private collection which means its owned by the Stuart family and the land is owned by the city of Oshawa. The sad part now is that the Stuart family now wants to sell the entire collection, its sad because all the artifacts that were donated by private citizens is still the property of the Stuart family and being sold as well. I would be pretty upset if I had donated something and someone else was going to make money off it. The museum also has a Camp X exhibit.

So, here is the connection. The rumor now is that Oshawa wants to buy the Camp X exhibit at the museum and transfer it to the Camp X building and make it into a museum itself. Oshawa, please, please do this. Dont destroy the past save it and support it and honour those who fought for our freedom.