Mccrae House - Design Phase: 90% Schematic Design
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McCrae House - Design Phase: 90% Schematic Design November 2014 CONTENTS Main Floor Plan 3 Overall Floor Plan 4 [90] Arrival/Entry 5 [100] Welcome/Reception/Gift Shop 6 [110] Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae – Persona 7 [120] The Early Years 8 [130] Writer/Poet/Artist 9 [140] Physician 10 [150] Explorer 11 [160] Soldier 12 [170] In Flanders Fields 13 [180] Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae – Reflection 14 Colour Palette 15 Typography 16 Illustrative Treatment / Icons 17 Graphic Treatment 19 {2} {3} {4} [90] Arrival/Entry The Visitor Experience: As visitors approach McCrae House they will understand that this will be more than a visit to a lovely stone cottage. The building’s main entrance is clearly defined and helps build a sense of excitement and arrival to a newly revised kind of museum experience. The overarching approach to the exterior arrival design is one of bold demarcation. A sculptural form engages the visitor as they approach and pass through and under the structure. This modern and clear design overlay creates a sense of intrigue, wonder and excitement for the visitor. Key Idea: This is not a typical, regional Ontario museum experience. {5} [100] Welcome/Reception/Gift Shop The Visitor Experience: This space helps the visitor transition from the bustle of arrival and getting organized to the beginnings of an imaginative journey. Visitors can purchase tickets, orient themselves and receive answers to any preliminary questions they may have. This is also the place for the curatorial/expert/human contact many visitors want and need before they begin. The front desk or counter may be finished in a materiality that continues from the exterior arrival detailing or at least acknowledges it from a design point of view. The retail component should be easy with simple presentation and visual access. The gift shop is also located here not only for practical and operational reasons but also as an option for concluding the visit and purchasing a gift or memento as guests leave the facility. Key Idea: Welcome to McCrae House {6} [110] Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae – Persona The Visitor Experience: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae – Persona engages visitors with a bold and dramatic presentation of McCrae in the way he is best known as a poet, doctor and soldier. Drawing from a well-documented international persona he is depicted in the common “news-bite” approach. This area is mostly visual with quotes/headlines/simple descriptors…almost a living collage…the poem may be present here – though not in its entirety. The overarching approach tells the visitor that the experience has begun and it won’t be typical. It touches on many of the facets of John McCrae – the character – but is not an experience overview or roadmap. Provocative and visually dynamic, the space can be taken in at a glance to underscore the complex man being depicted and celebrated or browsed at one’s leisure. The images and words also provide a rich backdrop that can be used by interpretive staff to introduce overarching context and stories to casual visitors and groups. Key Idea: Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae is a well-known figure with international renown and multiple, notable accomplishments. Proposed Stories: John McCrae, the man was complex, thoughtful and humorous. Visitors will engage with life size images of McCrae supported by a series of quotes, excerpts, headlines and facts. These will not be complete stories but provocative quotes and excerpts that present a colouration to the black and white photographic references. Proposed Stories: M1968X.347.1 – McCrae with watermelon M2013.3.1.1 – His top hat M1968X.448.1 – McCrae, Bonfire & Bonneau {7} [120] The Early Years The Visitor Experience: Visitors are introduced to the early years of John McCrae, his humble beginning and family life. Set against Family Business the context of 19th Century Ontario, visitors can contemplate the role of family, church, school and community M1989.1.1 – Exhibition Medal in shaping the character of a great man. M1968X.33.1 – Woolen Mill or M1991.9.1.190 M1968.96.3 – Blanket Key Idea: McCrae House Character begins in early development through family relationships, school, church life and community life. M1968.37.3.1 – Early View M1990.4.1 – Photograph album from Elizabeth Mowat who lived in the house in the 1940s. Proposed Stories: Shows some interior shots and outside shots The overarching approach presents an intimate setting with personal artifacts and ephemera, family images St Andrews Church and memories of life in19th Century Ontario. The area employs the architectural reality of the house to M1991.9.1.70 – c. 1880 black and white cabinet card image of the church evoke the sense and wonder of childhood, growing up and young adulthood. The story telling is simple and connections can be quietly profound. The setting may also make use of window views to recreate an overlay view of 19th Century Guelph. Proposed Props: Proposed Artifacts/Archives: Recreated family scrapbook for visitor engagement – follows John McCrae’s childhood milestones M1968X.449.1 – Scrapbook McCrae with Ladies in Toronto 1893 Image 83 & 107 Admission to high school: Image 120 1885 Boys Own Calendar M1991.9.1.48 - John Age 3 M1991.9.1.37 - John Age 1 M1968.28.1 - Baby Cup M1991.9.2.1 – McCrae age 16ish M1991.9.2.109 – John, Tom & Walter Gow (cousin) M1991.9.2.1 – John Age 18 Family Stuff M1997.6.3.2 Family China (there are lots of different pieces of family china) M1990.12.1 Stole – Belonged to Janet McCrae M1985.2.1 Footstool – Belonged to David McCrae and used by John M1997.6.1.8 Grandfather Clock There is also lots of kitchen type objects used at Janefield Family M1991.9.2.21 John Eckford M1968.337.1 Thomas and Jean McCrae M1968.339.1 David & Janet M1968.340.1 Janet, Tom, John & Geills M1968X.335.1.1 & 2 David & Mareon McCrae {8} [130] Writer/Poet/Artist The Visitor Experience: In Writer/Poet/Artist visitors contemplate the many ways in which John McCrae expressed his understanding M1968X.449.1 – Scrapbook of the world around him. Personal correspondence, sketchbooks, early poems and more formal writings are Image 68, 84, 92, 96, 105, 114, 124, 130, 137, 148 – All variety of poems, short stories published presented to reveal that expression was a natural part of John McCrae’s communication style. Visitors are M1999.6.1 – Will have a few samples of McCrae’s poems in his handwriting engaged in a more visual way with a presentation that is looser, less M1968X.467.1 Literary and Scientific society admittance card traditional and perhaps uses a graphic/visual system or structure to anchor the exhibit. While artifacts and ephemera are still personal Art in nature they are presented in a way to provoke an understanding M1968X.237.1 Sketch Boer War that their intent and legacy are farther reaching. Perhaps the pieces M1968X.238.1 Sketch Boer War are presented in the context of a world map or a scenic visual layer. M1968.250.1 Boer War Sketchbook This area may also use the spaces above and below typical museum M1996X.1.1.28 Sketchbook sightlines to engage visitors in a provocative way. M1996X.2.1.13 Sketchbook M1996X.21.1 & .2 – Sketches Key Idea: M1968X.475.1.2 Seascape and Seashore Sketches John McCrae was a creative observer and communicator with a clear expressive voice. Proposed Stories: McCrae’s writing and sketching as a young man and university student will be explored with a focus on his observational mind. Comparing John McCrae’s early sketches, writings and poetry to his later works, visitors will see the effects that travel, life experience and the harsh realities of war had on his works. Proposed Artifacts/Archives: M1994X.1.1 – Writing Case that held sketchbook Writing: M1969X.414.1 – Canadian Hospital of 17th Century M1968X.415.1 Canadian Horses in the African War M1968X.428.1 Privileges of Medicine M1968.427.1 – Bichat 1771-1802 M1989.5.1 – McGill University Magazine 1905 – Unconquered Dead M2006X.16.6 – Short Story Published M1968X.406.1.4 – Draft – Harbour of Lost Ships M1968X.435.1 - Story {9} [140] Physician The Visitor Experience: This area explores the growth and evolution of John McCrae as a medical student, physician and military M1993.2.1 – 1892 U of T Graduating Class surgeon. The vast changes in the field of medicine relative to a visitor’s understanding of contemporary health M2008.1.1 McGill Medical Class 1914 – McCrae as Teacher practices will be evident here. Connection, influence and overlap of multiple facets from John McCrae’s M1986.3.1. Invoice experiences as more than a doctor, add to and build on the visitor’s perception and understanding of the man. M1986.3.2 Receipt A more factual and traditional approach using photo reference and educational milestones will underpin the M2008.2.1 Pathological Reports MGH 1896-1902 stories of career development, commitment and a heroic approach to care for other soldiers. A ‘career arc’ M1968X.346.1 – in Montreal approach engages visitors with photos-over-time of each stage of his career, layered with geographical and geo-political references M1972.5.4 – McGill No. 3 Hospital book to the changing conditions at each stage. Prop medical equipment will be available for interaction to challenge visitors to Proposed Props: guess the use or simply understand the reality and challenges of WWI era medical practice, care and tools. Recreation military medical instruments for visitor interaction and exploration Key Idea: John McCrae was a successful doctor, surgeon, teacher and field physician with a commitment and devotion to service. Proposed Stories: The influences on and achievements of Dr John McCrae’s career will be explored, focusing on his roles as student, practitioner, instructor and field physician.