The origins of the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa can be traced back to 1880, when it started as a small assemblage of military pieces. Over the next 125 years the collection would grow, and so would public interest in seeing it. Gradually creating a need for larger, more permanent space.
That finally came about in 2005 when the present day site at LeBreton Flats opened its doors. Home to some of the finest military holdings in the world, the museum houses over 3 million artifacts. Within them are personal items like memoirs, medals and regalia, audio and visual recordings, artillery and equipment, and more.
Comprehensive gallery exhibits
The Military Technology Collection is a popular gallery that features rare vehicles and large weaponry. It showcases the many ‘tools of the trade’ used throughout times of war and peacekeeping.
Four permanent Canadian Experience Galleries present Canada’s military history, each one highlighting significant moments that shaped our country. Each one connecting human stories to the brutalities of war.
The Early Wars in Canada gallery portrays the First Peoples, European contact, and the wars waged by the French and British. The South African and First World Wars gallery illustrates Canada’s first contributions to overseas battles. Leading to increased international recognition and a greater sense of nationhood. But also coming with greater cost in lives lost.
Past century of conflict
The Second World War gallery depicts the fight against dictatorship, uniting Canada with the rest of the world in an unprecedented global military response. The fourth gallery, from the Cold War to the early 21st Century reveals the onset of the Soviet nuclear threat, the development of peacekeeping forces, and involvement in modern operations like the Gulf War.
The Canadian War Museum began offering online resources and content many years before others adopted digital practices. It was a way to connect with Canadians across the country and visitors from around the world. They offer dozens of online exhibitions, touching on topics like the war of 1812, the American Revolution, Canada’s naval history, and wartime propaganda.
Remembering lives lost
Find a quiet space meant for reflection at Memorial Hall. The grooved rectangles on its stark concrete walls reminds one of the rows of white grave markers found in war cemeteries. The only artifact present in the room is one headstone, representing Canada’s ‘unknown soldier’.
Every year on Remembrance Day, at exactly 11am, the headstone is perfectly illuminated by sunlight that streams in through one single window. It’s a powerful and symbolic moment that anyone can experience from anywhere by livestreaming on the museum’s website and social media pages. It’s the museum’s way of shining light on the lives lost in war.
Lest we forget.
