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Birthplace of the National Museums

Upon entering the Canadian Museum of Nature, many visitors look for the totem poles that once stood in the atrium. Their expectation is reasonable, considering that this historic building is also the birthplace of the three other national museums, and housed them for decades. The totem poles belong to one of these now-relocated institutions.

1842

Creation of the Geological Survey of Canada. In the ensuing decades, the Survey's researchers explored not only the geology of the former Province of Canada, but also collected specimens of flora and fauna.

1853

The Survey opened a museum in its headquarters. Some 50 years later, the construction of the Victoria Memorial Museum Building, which would host that museum, is started.

1910

The core construction of the museum is completed.

1912

The Victoria Memorial Museum Building opens to the public.

1927

The National Museum of Canada and the Geological Survey are formally separated into distinct entities by the government. The two institutions would retain close links for another quarter-century.

1956

The National Museum of Canada is divided into two branches: the National Museum of Natural Sciences, dedicated to natural history, and the National Museum of Man, representing human history.

1960 to 1989

The National Museum of Man occupies approximately one half of the museum building until it moves to its present location in Gatineau, Quebec, a few years after becoming the Canadian Museum of Civilization in 1986.

1967

The National Museum of Science and Technology—now the Canada Science and Technology Museum—opens at its present location in Ottawa. It is an offshoot of the Museum of Man.

1990

The National Museum of Natural Sciences becomes the Canadian Museum of Nature. It is now the sole occupant of the museum building.

2004

As part of its renewal project, the Canadian Museum of Nature begins significant construction and renovation work on the museum. It is the greatest transformation undertaken in the building's 100-year-long history.

2006

The renovated west wing of the museum reopens in autumn with three new galleries and programming spaces. The east wing and atrium close for construction.

2010

The renewal of the museum was completed and the entirely renovated museum reopened on Saturday, May 22—International Day for Biological Diversity. Visitors enjoyed new exhibitions and amenities complemented by celebratory Grand Reopening activities throughout the Victoria Day weekend.