Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/1520274
16 Canadian War Museum Offers History and Hope BY E. LISA MOSES CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM • CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM/HARRY FOSTER Designed by renowned Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama, the Canadian War Museum in downtown Ottawa sees some 500,000 visitors a year. The theme of its architectural design, "regeneration," evokes not only the impact of war on the land, but also nature's ability to regenerate and accommodate the physical devastation from human conflict. The prize-winning design holds much symbolism. The gently sloping roof sweeps up to a height of 25 metres, where the windows of Moriyama Regeneration Hall provide an evocative view of Parliament Hill. Inside, Memorial Hall holds a pool of calm water and a lone artefact: the headstone from the grave of Canada's Unknown Soldier. It is also one of the world's most respected museums for the study and understanding of armed conflict. The four Canadian Experience Galleries highlight how past events have shaped Canada and Canadians, the brutal realities of organized human conflict, and the importance of remembrance and understanding. Exhibitions use the human experience of war—told mainly through personal stories, artefacts, and recollections of ordinary Canadians—to engage visitors in a personal dialogue about their country, its past and its prospects. This year's major exhibition, Outside the Lines, runs from May 24 to January 5. It explores how more than two centuries of women artists have interpreted Canada's military history. Whether illustrating scenes from a 19th century uprising, workers in First World War factories, or Canadian Rangers patrolling the Far North, Outside the Lines offers an engaging look at conflict through the eyes of women. Across the street from the Canadian War Museum is the National Holocaust Monument, titled Landscape of Loss, Memory and Survival (www.warmuseum.ca). BY E. LISA MOSES CANADIAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY Canada's most popular museum, the Canadian Museum of History, welcomes more than 1.2 million visitors a year. Explore the country's rich cultural heritage, including the outstanding achievements of First Peoples. The National Collection consists of more than four million artefacts, specimens, works of art, written documents, and sound and visual recordings. Designed by Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal, the Museum sits on the shores of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Québec, less than five minutes from downtown Ottawa and Parliament Hill. One of Canada's top ten architectural wonders, it attracts admirers from around the world. The Grand Hall is the architectural focal point with an awe-inspiring indoor collection of totem poles. And the Canadian History Hall traces Canada's story from the dawn of human habitation to present day. It is also home to the Canadian Children's Museum, where guests can travel the world on a colourful Pakistani bus, visit a Mexican kitchen and load packages onto a cargo ship. A special exhibition running until January 19, 2025 takes visitors on an epic 6,500-year journey to discover the origins of power and inequity in ancient Europe. The displays showcase more than 700 rare and exquisite objects from 26 institutions across southeastern Europe. From November 21 to November 24, the Museum's Christmas Market will feature more than 80 exhibitors showcasing delicious treats and unique handmade creations. This is an exceptional place to shop for Christmas decorations, woodcraft, glass objects, gourmet foods, artisanal spirits, handcrafted jewellery and amazing fashion accessories (www.historymuseum.ca). Canadian Museum of History: An Immersive Canadian Experience