The new Canadian War Museum (CWM) is a major national museum of military history, covering Canada's military past from earliest times to the present day. Located on the shores of the Ottawa River, a few minutes west of Parliament Hill, the newly built Museum is now sure to become one of the National Capital's landmarks and one of Canada's most significant cultural museums.

Through its extraordinary permanent and special exhibitions, the Museum shows how military events have shaped the development of the country, both at home and on the world stage. A stunning architectural design, innovative exhibitions, diverse public programs and unparalleled displays of collections are making it one of the world's most respected venues for the study and understanding of human conflict.

The new building has all the amenities of a modern museum: underground parking, a dedicated group entrance with a separate bus drop off and pick up area, a restaurant/cafe and a 250 seat theatre, in addition to a boutique, four classrooms and areas for rest and reflection. With expansive exhibition space to display its impressive artifacts and war art collection, it is a must see destination for visitors.

Location
Located on the shores of the Ottawa River, a few minutes west of Parliament Hill, the museum building is easily accessible from downtown Ottawa by foot, bus, or car and has on site parking.

Hours
May 8 to June 30: Seven days a week, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.;
Thursdays to 9:00 p.m.
July 1 to September 6: Seven days a week, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.;
Thursdays and Fridays until 9:00 p.m.
September 7 to October 11: Seven days a week, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.;
Thursdays until 9:00 p.m.
October 12 to April 30: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.;
Thursdays until 9:00 p.m. Closed December 25; open January 1.

Admission
$12 Adults; $10 Seniors (65 +); $10 Students; $8 Children (3 - 2); Families $30 (Fam. 5 - max. 2 ad.)

Facilities and Services

Restaurants
A cafeteria provides food services to visitors. During the summer, an outdoor patio is available with a special menu.

Boutiques
The Museum's boutique carries a wide range of gifts and souvenirs, with something for every taste and budget.

Cloakroom
Free coat check services are available, as are coin operated lockers.

Special Services
Courtesy wheelchairs and strollers are available at the Cloakroom, as are Courtesy baby carriers and an electric carriage. All washrooms have diaper changing facilities.

Library and Archives
The Military History Research Centre is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Smoking is not permitted in the Museum facilities, while eating and drinking are restricted solely to dedicated areas.

Groups
Tour length is one hour, maximum 20 persons per group. For reservations group rates or guided tours, call (819) 776 8600 or 1-800-555-5621.

Did You Know?

• There has not been a war on Canadian soil since the War of 1812.
• A Canadian, Dr. John McCrae, penned the poignant poem, In Flanders Fields, during the First World War. Today, the poppy is a lasting symbol of remembrance.
• In the First World War, the Canadian Corps fought as a national unit for the first time at Vimy Ridge, winning a great victory and a reputation for bravery.
• You can see a life-size diorama of a typical First World War trench at the Canadian War Museum.
• During the Second World War, Canada raised armed forces of over one million men and women out of a population of only 12 million.
• The Museum has a collection of war art featuring works by such well-known artists as Alex Colville and members of the Group of Seven.

Canada's Military Heritage

The Canadian War Museum offers interesting and educational exhibitions:

• The first floor gallery -- a look at Canadas military history from pre-European arrival through the end of the First World War.
• The Hall of Honour -- a personal approach to military history through the stories of 40 military heroes.
• The second floor gallery -- presentations on the Second World War including a large-scale model of the Normandy D-Day landings.
• Canada's Peacekeepers -- recent military history, including the Korean War, the Cold War and UN peacekeeping missions.
• The Discovery Room -- hands-on experience for all ages where you can try on uniforms, identify unusual artifacts or handle a colonial musket.
• The Canadian War Museum also has a large storage facility at Vimy House which preserves over 450,000 artifacts.

Contact Information

1 Vimy Place, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1R 1C2
Information: (819) 776 8600
Toll Free: 1 800 555 5621
Hearing impaired: TDD (819) 776 7003
Fax: (819) 776 8623

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