Already 20 years!

The building that’s home to the Canadian Museum of Civilization celebrates its 20th anniversary this year – a museum of human history that contributes to the cultural identity of our country and showcases our horizons to the rest of the world. Exhibits, activities, IMAX films – it’s a veritable treasure chest. We always invite you to come in, but today, we’re coming out. Because in addition to housing artefacts, the contours of the Laurier building tell the story of our country.

From dream to reality

It was 1980 when former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau announced the construction of two new national museums: one on Nepean Point – the National Gallery of Canada – and the other on the grounds of Laurier Park – the Canadian Museum of Civilization. What had for many decades been the National Museum of Man would be re-baptized and turn its cramped Victoria Building over to the Canadian Museum of Nature. A new future meant more space: the new premises were four times bigger than the old Museum and allowed for the gathering of people and collections from 17 different locations.

Two enormous construction sites began to rock the banks of the Ottawa River. Those who were around at the time will recall the dust, trucks, cranes, and traffic congestion. But these big and small disruptions were merely harbingers of the transformed landscape to come. Renovating the riverscape took no less than 8500 truckloads of concrete, 7300 tons of steel, and 100 tons of Canadian copper at the Laurier site alone.

A depiction of history

The majesty of the Museum is a testament to architect Douglas Cardinal, an Albertan. Developed within National Capital Commission parameters, Cardinal’s design would flank a prized view of the Parliament buildings with the Museum’s two pavilions.
The architect envisioned a building in harmony with the land – a concept often referred to as “organic architecture” – as if the Museum was sculpted by wind, rain, and ice, like the rock formations that became Canada. The Plaza represents the great plains that were exposed by receding glaciers, the exhibit wing is also known as the Glacier Wing thanks to the great glass wall that evokes a sheet of ice, and the administrative building is designed to simulate the layers of rock in the Canadian Shield.

The various materials used in construction came from different regions of the country. For example, the Tyndall rock found in both the interior and exterior of the Museum is comprised of hardened mud and sediment from the bottom of a warm sea that once covered what is now Manitoba some 460 million years ago. In it can be seen a number of fossils like shellfish, snails, and sponges – miraculously, history is even found in the smallest details of the building.

And how about the ubiquitous symbolism? The mask outlined in the walls and windows of the main entrance, the canoe-shaped ceiling of the Grand Hall and columns that mimic paddles, the low-relief sculpture titled ‘Mythic Messengers’ beneath the cafeteria entrance inspired by the communication between humankind and the mythical creatures that gave us life … all of these images are at the heart of the culture that first tread the soil of this land.

20 years of wanderers and wonders

Since opening its doors on June 29, 1989, the Canadian Museum of Civilization has welcomed millions of visitors to more than 140 special exhibitions and its permanent collections. Close to 3 million artefacts are protected by its unique walls. And if the past is any indication of the future, millions more will wander in wonder through the human history housed here.

And now, it’s your turn!

Now that we’ve told you about your Museum, we want to hear from you.  Were you at the grand opening?  Do you have photos or stories to share?  Where were you 20 years ago?  It’s your turn to share.

Sylvie Morel wrote:
It was early in the morning of June 29th, 1989.  It had been a long night with very little sleep.   We had worked till about 4 am sweeping, vacuuming, cleaning glass cases, and making sure all was in place for the next day.  A brilliant sunny day.  The Governor General arrived with all the dignitaries.  We were all still in jeans and t-shirts (no time to change).  And then the crowds descended.  And what crowds.  It had never been like this at the old museum.  It was all hands on deck, directing traffic, pointing to the washrooms, doing PR on the new exhibitions.  What a glorious day it was.  Even with the several sleepless nights that preceded that day, we were all incredibly proud and moved that we had all contributed so much to make this happen.  What an accomplishment – it was a huge undertaking that was successful because of the dedication, hard work and selflessness of so many.  And to this day, the Museum is the best in Canada if not the world.  We are proud to have given this to all Canadians.Retired
Former Vice president, Exhibitions and programs