The Victoria Memorial Museum Building served as Canada's Parliament from 1916 to 1920 following the Centre Block fire.
The structure is built on a site historically known as 'Appin Place,' once owned by the family of Sir John A. Macdonald.
The museum holds one of the world's most significant collections of Arctic flora and fauna.
The 2010 renovation included the addition of a modern glass tower that uses high-performance thermal glass to improve energy efficiency.
The museum's mineralogy collection includes rare Canadian specimens, including pieces from the Cobalt silver mining district.
It is one of the few museums in the world with a dedicated gallery focused exclusively on the Canadian Arctic.
The building's interior features original stonework and fossil-rich limestone walls that pre-date the current museum exhibits.
Scientific staff at the museum actively participate in expeditions to remote areas of the Arctic to catalog climate-driven changes in biodiversity.
The Canadian Museum of Nature is housed in the historic Victoria Memorial Museum Building, a National Historic Site of Canada known for its distinctive Scottish baronial-style architecture. The museum holds a vast collection of over 14.6 million specimens spanning botanical, zoological, and geological fields. Permanent galleries feature expansive displays of dinosaur fossils, Arctic ecosystems, and Canadian mammalian wildlife. The Great Glass Lantern, a massive architectural glass structure added during the 2004-2010 renovation, serves as the museum's primary entrance and visual centerpiece. The facility is a premier research hub, housing significant scientific labs and active paleontological research programs. Specialized fossil collections include iconic specimens of Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Edmontosaurus. The museum regularly hosts international traveling exhibitions alongside its permanent dioramas and interactive displays.
The Great Glass Lantern atrium, especially during sunset when the light reflects through the structure.
Check the online events calendar before visiting to see if special temporary exhibits or night-time events are scheduled.
Take advantage of the museum's proximity to the Elgin Street restaurant district for dining after your visit.
Plan to watch one of the 3D movies offered in the theater, as they change seasonally and complement the museum's core displays.
Rushing through the fossil gallery; many of the most significant scientific specimens are in less-trafficked corners of the hall.
Closed on Mondays during the off-season; check for holiday closures.
Standard museum behavior; flash photography is generally permitted, but tripod use is restricted.
