After almost three years of construction, the New Canadian War museum will open its doors on May 8, the 60th anniversary of VE-Day that marked the end of the World War II.
The 18-acre CWM, at 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa, will house one of the biggest military collections in the world comprising more than 500,000 artifacts including vehicles, artillery, uniforms, medals, memoirs, works of art and an extensive military archive. A parade of veterans will march from the Canadian War Memorial to the museum.
Says CWM spokeswoman Christina Selin, "The Canadian War Museum's mandate is about educating visitors about the impact of war and conflict on Canada's historical development and preserving the story of Canada's military history."
The new museum was designed by Moriyama & Teshima Architects of Toronto and Griffiths Rankin Cook of Ottawa. The theme of the architectural design is "regeneration." In the words of the lead architect, Raymond Moriyama: "Nature may be ravished by human acts of war, but inevitably it hybridizes, regenerates and prevails. This museum is a tribute to our military past and a salute to the freedom and democracy that has resulted from the sacrifices of the men and women who have served this country."
Exhibition design is by staff members of the CWM and the Canadian Museum of Civilization in collaboration with the architectural team and the exhibition design team of Haley Sharpe Associates of Leicester, England and Origin Studios of Ottawa.
Friends of the Canadian War Museum is a charitable organization formed to support the Canadian War Museum and its activities by sponsoring Museum projects, conducting research on subjects related to Canadian military history, fund raising, and providing volunteer services.
The FCWM also is hosting an essay writing competition to promote awareness of the evolution of the Canadian Military.