The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario provides visitors with a first class educational experience. War and conflict have long been a part of human society and have resulted in some of the most significant events studied throughout human history. War is rarely an easy subject to tackle, but the Canadian War Museum provides an interesting insight into the conflicts that shaped both Canada and the world. The interactive nature of the museum brings the information to life and allows the visitor to experience the stories of those who lived through these conflicts throughout the country’s history.
One aspect I appreciate about the Canadian War Museum is that it looks at the notion of conflict in a multi-faceted way. The museum starts by exploring the origins of conflict and the reasons humans have fought each other throughout history. The museum is split into four main galleries that each take about 30-45 minutes to explore. The galleries are organized in chronological order which allows visitors to walk through history and experience the conflicts as they happened. Another aspect that I love is the interactive experience the museum provides. The galleries are set up in a way to make you feel like history really is all around you.
The first gallery, Early Wars in Canada, covers some of the country’s earliest conflicts that involved the First Peoples, the British and the French. It was really interesting to go back and learn more about a number of topics that had been covered in my younger school days, but that I hadn’t revisited in a while. One piece on display that I found fascinating from learning about in my school days was the military uniform of Sir Isaac Brock. The uniform is the one he was wearing when he was killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812. If you look closely, you can still see the hole where the bullet pierced his uniform.
The second gallery, The South African and First World Wars, takes visitors through the late 19th and early 20th centuries and Canada’s involvement in the two conflicts fought overseas. The South African War, sometimes referred to as the Boer War, was fought between the years 1899 and 1902 and was a conflict between the British Empire and two Boer republics in South Africa. This war was also the first time Canadians were officially sent to fight overseas.
More commonly discussed in Canadian history is the First World War, which took place from 1914 to 1918. Also known as the Great War, it was the first global conflict of its kind and was fought between the Allies and Central Powers. As a British colony, Canada joined the First World War in support of Great Britain in 1914 and like countries on both sides of the conflict, many Canadian lives were lost before the war’s end in 1918. One of the key aspects of the First World War was trench warfare, which forced soldiers to fight in brutal conditions. One part of this gallery that really stood out to me was walking through a recreated trench and experiencing a small piece of the fear and eeriness that must have been felt by soldiers fighting on the front.
The third gallery, The Second World War, takes visitors through the buildup, the war years and the aftermath of World War II. The Second World War began in 1939 as a response to Hitler and Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland. Over the next 6 years it is estimated that over 80 million individuals lost their lives in the war, including over 45,000 Canadians.
While many of us are familiar with the facts of World War II, the Canadian War Museum offers an impressive amount of additional information and stories from those who lived through the conflict. There are a number of interesting artifacts on display, the most eerie being Hitler’s Mercedes Benz limousine, which he used as his parade car. This car was captured by the Americans in 1945 and sent to Canada shortly after.
The gallery provides an informative insight into the war on a global scale but also the many campaigns Canadians forces were a part of. It was particularly interesting to read of Canadian involvement in efforts such as the Italian Campaign. The gallery also sheds a light on the darker side of Canadian history, such as the experience of Japanese Canadians during the war.
Another part of the gallery I found fascinating was the section explaining the aftermath of the war in Canada. The measures taken to re-integrate Canadian soliders back into society are a lesser-known story, but crucial to the shaping of Canada in the post-war years. Overall, no matter your level of knowledge on the Second World War, there is something here for everyone to learn.
The final gallery, From the Cold War to the Present, takes a look at more recent Canadian military history, including the war in Afghanistan. Visitors are able to learn about Canada’s role in these more recent military conflicts, including the important peacekeeping role Canadians have played around the world.
In addition to the four main galleries, there are a number of other areas of the museum to explore. Visitors can view the Vimy Ridge Memorial Sculptures, created as a part of the design for the Vimy Memorial in France. There is also the Lebreton Gallery, which showcases a number of military tanks and technology. During my visit there was also an exhibition on called Forever Changed: Stories from the Second World War, that highlights stories from Canadians throughout the war, both at home and abroad.
Also, if you are unable to visit the museum in person, they have a number of interesting exhibitions you can view here on their website.
This overview has really only scratched the surface of all of the wonderful things to explore in the Canadian War Museum. What really shone through for me was not so much the weaponry and technology (although there is also plenty of this to explore!) but the stories of people. People from all across Canada, throughout all different ages, doing their best during tumultuous times. It’s these stories, both good and bad, that make up the history of the nation and the hope is that learning from the past helps us to create a better future.
Tips for Visiting the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa
Where is the Canadian War Museum located?
The Canadian War Museum is located in Ottawa, Ontario and is approximately a 5-minute drive from the downtown area.
What is the best way to get there?
The easiest way to get there is by driving and there is paid parking available on site. If travelling by public transport, you can also take the train to Pimisi Station, from which the museum is about a 7-minute walk.
How much does a ticket to the Canadian War Museum cost?
Admission costs approximately $18 for adults and about $12 for a child or youth ticket. Family tickets can also be purchased for approximately $46.
Visit here to learn more about admission prices.
How much time is needed to visit the Canadian War Museum?
There is a lot to explore in the museum so I would recommend setting aside at least a couple of hours for your visit. The museum recommends about 30 to 45 minutes to explore each gallery and you’ll also want to leave time for the additional areas and any special exhibitions on.
What other historical things are there to do nearby?
Ottawa is a fantastic city for exploring Canadian history and there are a number of historical things to do. You can visit the Canadian Parliament, Rideau Hall and the Royal Canadian Mint. I would also highly recommend hopping over to Gatineau Quebec to visit the Canadian Museum of History, which gives a thorough overview to Canadian history, including the important history of Canada’s First Peoples.
This article’s information was last updated in August 2022.