The New Museum
Extensive Coverage
Find personal stories, articles about the $216 million reno and the architectural history, photos, videos, 360° panoramas and more at the Ottawa Citizen newspaper.
© National Archives of Canada; Martin Lipman © Canadian Museum of Nature
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History and Buildings
The Return of the Tower
A new glass lantern graces the main entrance of the museum. It evokes the original tower, which had to be removed in 1915–1916 because of unstable ground.
The Canadian Museum of Nature has a long and rich history here in Ottawa.
In this section, you can read about the architecture and design of this famous landmark (fondly known as "the castle"), our early beginnings and recent renovations.
You will also learn about our research and collections facility, in Gatineau (Aylmer sector).
Did you know that three other national museums were once sheltered here? Learn more about some of our famous tenants, too.
This time-lapse video outside the Canadian Museum of Nature shows the grand opening on May 22, 2010. A parade and ceremony followed by a surge of people into the building and intense traffic all day mark this record-breaking day of 20 343 visitors.
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