What You Should Know
This world-class natural history museum which has been undergoing renovations since 2004 will fully reopen on May 22, 2010. Galleries now open on the west side of the building are the Talisman Energy Fossil Gallery, the Mammal Gallery and the Bird Gallery! Suggested length of visit: one hour
Hours of operation
SUMMER (May 1st to Labour Day)
Daily for 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays until 8:00 p.m.
WINTER After Labour Day to April 30
Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursdays until 8:00 p.m.
Museum Closed Mondays (except holidays) after Labour Day in September to April 30, December 24 at 2 pm, December 25; and the second week in January for annual maintenance.
Cost
Members: free; Family: $13; Individual $5; Children (under 4): Free.
NOTE: Free Admission Saturdays until noon.
Parking: Maximum $7 with museum admission.
Location
Victoria Memorial Museum Building
240 McLeod Street (at Metcalfe Street)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Services
Wheelchair access, washrooms, cafeteria, boutique, ample parking, picnic area.
Groups
Advance bookings for school groups; special group package rates. (613) 566-4701 or 1.800.263.4433 (in Canada and USA).
Did You Know?
- The Museum of Nature's collection is one of the largest repositories of animals, plants and minerals in Canada. The collection includes roughly ten million specimens!
- Beavers were once as big as black bears. The Museum has skeleton remains of "giant beaver" that were the ancestors of Canada's national symbol.
- The Museum's specimens are not just for display -- they are the scientific yardstick against which all biological and mineralogical research in Canada is measured.
- The Museum carries out research around the world. You're as likely to find Canadian scientists diving under the ice of the Antarctic or collecting beetles in South America as observing wildlife in the Arctic.
- The Museum is located exactly 1.6 kilometres from Parliament Hill and, after fire destroyed the Parliament Buildings, served as Parliament's second home from 1916 to 1920.
Getting In Touch with Canada's Nature
The Museum traces its roots to 1841, when Queen Victoria made a grant of ,£1500 for the "creation of the Geological and Natural History Survey of the Province of Canada." Since then, it has assembled a vast collection of specimens and scientific expertise on virtually every aspect of Canada's natural sciences.
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