The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history and one of the world’s most respected museums for the study and understanding of armed conflict.
The Museum traces its origins back to 1880, when it consisted primarily of a collection of militia artifacts. The Museum opened at its new location on the LeBreton Flats site in downtown Ottawa on May 8, 2005. Its opening not only marked the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe (V-E Day) but also the 125th anniversary of the Museum itself. Since its opening in 2005, the Museum has welcomed approximately 500,000 visitors every year.
The Museum’s exhibition galleries and public programs have been designed to emphasize the human experience of war. The Canadian Experience Galleries present the military history of Canada from earliest times to present day, as well as Canada’s history of honouring and remembrance. Each gallery highlights defining moments in Canada’s military history and the ways in which past events have shaped the nation.
The Museum’s collections are among the finest military holdings in the world, including rare vehicles, artillery, uniforms, medals, personal memoirs and 14,000 works in the Beaverbrook Collection of War Art. In total, the collection comprises more than 3 million artifacts, specimens, works of art, written documents and sound and visual recordings. The Military History Research Centre houses the George Metcalf Archival Collection and the Hartland Molson Library. These extensive collections of primary and secondary research material document Canada’s rich military history.
As a Crown corporation under the Museums Act, the Canadian Museum of History oversees the Canadian War Museum.
Mandate, vision and values
Our mandate
To enhance Canadians’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of events, experiences, people and objects that reflect and have shaped Canada’s history and identity, and also to enhance their awareness of world history and cultures.
Our vision
Dare to inspire tomorrow’s history.
Each day, our actions, decisions and inspiration will be driven by our vision statement.
Our values
Values are the cornerstone of any organization — they inform our behaviours, underpin how we perform our work, and provide a backdrop for aligned decision making. These four statements are intended to work hand-in-hand with our vision statement and strategic directions.
Our strategic directions for 2023–2029
These five directions are intended to help us better focus, re-energize and reinforce who we aspire to be as an organization moving forward.
- Foster an innovative workforce culture that promotes equity, respect and a sense of belonging
- Engage people from across Canada in diverse histories and stories
- Advance reconciliation and strengthen our commitment to recognizing the rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Build organizational resilience through sustainable practices
- Leverage technology to drive innovation and deepen access to Museum activities