VICTORIA, BC —The Royal BC Museum and the Terry Fox Centre today announced that they have proudly entered a long-term partnership to protect and preserve the iconic Terry Fox collection for generations to come.
The Royal BC Museum will become stewards of the Fox family’s collection of objects gathered throughout both the Canadian legend’s short life and 1980 Marathon of Hope.
“For 44 years, Terry Fox has been an inspiration to Canadians and we are thrilled to be entrusted with the stewardship of this important collection,” says Tracey Drake, CEO of the Royal BC Museum. “The Royal BC Museum is proud to work alongside the Terry Fox Centre and Fox family to safeguard and preserve Terry’s legacy, and dream, for future generations.”
The Terry Fox Centre is currently looking to secure a permanent home for the sizeable “All Things Terry” collection. The partnership with the Royal BC Museum presented the opportunity to safeguard this important piece of the province’s history for future generations to share in the legacy of Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope.
“We are excited by how our partnership with the Royal BC Museum will assist us in our efforts to engage Canadians and people worldwide with Terry’s story of hope, courage and determination,” says Darrell Fox on behalf of the Terry Fox family and the Terry Fox Centre. “Terry is not with us physically, but his shoes, leg, sock and Marathon of Hope t-shirts, together with thousands of other artifacts, will inspire future generations to pursue their dreams while giving back.”
April 12 marks the 44th anniversary of the day Terry set out on his Marathon of Hope, a feat that would have taken him and his support crew across the country from the Atlantic Ocean in St. John’s, Newfoundland, to his final destination, the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver, BC.
The cancer that would go on to claim Terry’s life returned, halting his daily marathons on September 1, 1980, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, 5,373 km from where he started.
“It is an honour to announce the preservation of iconic artifacts belonging to Canadian hero Terry Fox,” says Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “These artifacts serve as powerful reminders of Terry's indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication to his Marathon of Hope. By safeguarding these pieces of history, we ensure that Terry's legacy continues to inspire generations to come, encouraging perseverance, resilience, and the pursuit of helping Canadians everywhere.”
The collection includes a number of iconic items owned and worn by Terry, including the shoes and prosthetic leg he wore on his daily marathons, the van he and his best friend/driver Doug and younger brother Darrell slept in throughout the journey, and a large collection of letters written to Terry from school children across the country. The collection is considered part of a 20-year long-term partnership and will remain in the ownership of the Fox family.
Many of the objects included in the collection were once part of the Terry Fox: Running to the Heart of Canada travelling exhibition that was on display at the Royal BC Museum from April to October 2017.
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About the Royal BC Museum: The Royal BC Museum explores the province’s human history and natural history, advances new knowledge and understanding of BC, and provides a dynamic forum for discussion and a place for reflection. The museum and archives celebrate culture and history, telling the stories of BC in ways that enlighten, stimulate and inspire. Located in Victoria on the territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) peoples, known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt nations, we are a hub of community connections in BC—on-site, off-site and online—taking pride in our collective histories.
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