Canadian Museum of History

The Canadian Museum of History stands in Gatineau, Quebec, on the north bank of the Ottawa River, directly across from Parliament Hill. It is Canada’s national museum of human history and is among the most visited museums in the country. The building, designed by the architect Douglas Cardinal, is a sweeping, curving mass of limestone-coloured stone and glass, shaped to suggest the forms of the Canadian landscape, and it is one of the most distinctive pieces of architecture in the capital region. It opened in 1989 under another name, and took its present name in 2013.

The museum’s most memorable space is the Grand Hall, a huge room with tall windows overlooking the river and Parliament Hill, lined with a forest of totem poles and the facades of West Coast Indigenous houses. It gives a powerful first impression, and it is a major reason why visitors stop here. The First Peoples Hall tells the story of Indigenous peoples across the country, from ancient history to the present day, and the Canadian History Hall, which opened in 2017, traces the broader story of the country from earliest times to the present, with galleries organised in chronological order.

Visitors with children will find plenty to do. The Canadian Children’s Museum offers hands-on play and exploration, with a world-travel theme and interactive exhibits designed for children, and the CINE+ Theatre screens films in a large format. Temporary exhibitions rotate through the building, covering a range of topics from archaeology to contemporary culture, so there is often something new on a repeat visit.

The setting adds to the experience. A riverside walkway outside the museum provides one of the best views of Parliament Hill and the Peace Tower, and the walk across the Alexandra Bridge or the nearby Portage Bridge links the museum to downtown Ottawa. In good weather many people spend time on the grounds as well as inside.

Weekday mornings are generally quieter, and weekends and school holidays tend to be busier. A first visit takes at least two to three hours, longer if you want to see the main galleries properly, and it is wise to choose a few areas rather than trying to see everything. The museum suits families, history enthusiasts and anyone interested in Indigenous cultures and Canadian history. Hours, admission and special-exhibition tickets change, so check the museum’s website, and consider combining the visit with the nearby Canadian Museum of Nature or the other attractions of the capital.