Rick Hansen Collection Visits the Canadian Museum of History

The Canadian Museum of History is delighted to announce the acquisition of Rick Hansen’s Man In Motion World Tour Collection. Artifacts from that epic tour have now become part of the Museum of History’s National Collection, where they will be preserved to help tell the awe-inspiring story of Rick Hansen and his team.

“Rick Hansen and the Man In Motion World Tour are an important part of contemporary Canadian history,” said Mark O’Neill, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of History. “This collection shows how Mr. Hansen rallied public support in Canada and internationally, forever changing public perception of people with disabilities. We are delighted and grateful that Mr. Hansen has donated this valuable collection to the Museum, where it will help to tell his remarkable story, and inspire generations to come.”

This important announcement was made during a virtual event earlier today. The event is posted on the Museum at Home webpage and includes a conversation with Rick Hansen, archival photos, highlights of the collection, and videos with never-before-told stories about artifacts of the Tour from the people behind them.

Rick Hansen set out 35 years ago, in 1985, on an amazing 26-month, 40,000-kilometre journey around the world in his wheelchair. Hansen, a Paralympian and advocate for persons with disabilities, aimed to raise awareness of the potential of people with disabilities and to research a cure for paralysis resulting from spinal cord injuries.

“It’s a tremendous honour to have the Canadian Museum of History accept all the archival materials that were collected from my Man In Motion World Tour,” said Rick Hansen, Founder of the Rick Hansen Foundation. “

The collection tells the story of Hansen’s Man in Motion world tour, and athletic career through 1700 artifacts and thousands of archival documents, photos, and videos. “This collection of historical memorabilia is a representation of the many people — including friends, family and supporters from all walks of life, across this great country and around the world — who helped me turn my dream into a reality.” Hansen said.

2020 marks the tour’s 35th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Rick Hansen Foundation is inviting the public to share their memories of the tour. They’ve released a free commemorative poster, desktop or mobile wallpaper through this link. “It is inspiring that the collection is considered a part of Canadian history because the Tour’s purpose reflects Canadian identity and values,” Hansen said.