The Canadian Museum of History is one of Ottawa’s architectural and cultural jewels. With its magnificent Grand Hall and an impressive collection of Canadian cultural treasures, the museum provides remarkable insight into human history.
The building itself is an architectural marvel. Designed by Douglas Cardinal, its curved walls echo the shape of a lapping tide. Begin your tour in the impressive Grand Hall. The floor-to-ceiling windows, views of Parliament Hill and one of the largest collections of totem poles in the world make it an inspiring experience. View the reconstructed Indian house facades, representing over 150 years of architecture from the Pacific Northwest. The backdrop here, a fabric scrim displaying the image of a misty forest, is the largest color photograph in the world.
In the First Peoples Hall, the traditional owners of the site on which the museum sits welcome you. Discover the cultural, artistic and historical richness of Canada’s First Nations through an incredible collection of over 2,000 artifacts.
While the kids travel the world in the Canadian Children’s Museum and the IMAX theater, you can walk through 1,000 years of Canadian history in Canada Hall. Housed under a 55-foot (17-meter) domed ceiling, this exhibition is organized in two sections: Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic region between the years 1000 and 1885, and Western and Northern Canada from 1885 to the present day. Life-sized tableaus are reconstructed in the styles specific to the period. Afterward, come face-to-face with those who shaped modern Canada in the Canadian Personalities Hall.
The Canadian Museum of History is one of Ottawa’s premier attractions. Allow from two hours to a whole day to visit. The museum is open daily and hours vary between the seasons. Admission includes access to all galleries, while the IMAX theater is an additional charge. The museum is easily accessible and there is parking available for a fee.
