Ottawa's Cultural Institutions
WatchMojo.com explores the Canadian capitol's Cultural Institutions, including a look at Ottawa's most important and impressive museums.
The Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography was affiliated to the National Gallery in 1985, shortly after its creation. This museum now resides next to the Chateau Laurier and overlooking the Rideau Canal, and showcases Canada’s best art and documentary photography.
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is the most visited museum in the country, visited by over 1.3 million people annually, and is also one of the oldest cultural institutions in North America, with roots dating back to 1856. The CMC is most renowned by visitors for its permanent galleries, which explore Canada’s 20,000 years of human history, and for its extraordinary architecture and riverside setting. The museum has four permanent exhibition galleries: The Grand Hall, the First Peoples Hall, the Canada Hall, and Face to Face: The Canadian Personalities Hall. The Grand Hall is one the first level of the museum and it features a wall of windows which look out onto the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill. Across from this window is a colour photograph of a forest scene, which is believed to be the largest colour photo in the world. Also in the Grand Hall are a dozen totem poles made by First Nations artisans, and various other sculptures.
The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history, focusing on military conflicts that occurred on Canadian soil, involved Canadian forces, or had a significant effect on the country. Most of the museum’s main floor is devoted to the Canadian Experience Galleries, which are exhibits that underline the great effect war has had on Canadian development, and also the important role Canadians have played in international conflicts. The four permanent exhibitions are organized chronologically, starting in 1885 and reaching to the present.
Rideau Hall is the official residence of the Governor General of Canada. It is used to officially received heads of state, and is the place where many Canadian awards are presented, where Canadian prime ministers and members of Cabinet are sworn in. The house is open to tours throughout the year, and has approximately 200,000 visitors annually.
The Canadian Museum of Nature’s collections include all aspects of the junction of human society and nature, from gardening to gene-splicing. It is located in the Victoria Memorial Museum Building, which in its history has been home to the House of Commons and various other museums.
Although not technically a museum, due to its exquisite architecture and high number of visitors, Canada’s Parliament buildings are a Canadian cultural landmark that attracts 3 million visitors each year. The entire parliamentary complex measures over 112 thousand square miles. The Peace Tower is the most prominent symbol in the Parliament buildings, measuring 300 feet high. It was built to commemorate the end of the First World War. Among other things, the tower contains a list of all Canadians who died as a result of service in the Canadian Forces.
The changing of the guard ceremony conducted in Canada is performed daily during the summer months at Rideau Hall and Parliament Hill by the combined Ceremonial Unit, made up of the two Canadian regiments of Foot Guards. This ceremony is Canadian tradition at its finest!