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1812@CWM

Two hundred years after the start of the War of 1812, the Canadian War Museum is commemorating this major national turning point with a range of special projects including this virtual exhibition. Find out more below.

“The 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is the perfect time for Canadians to re-examine a pivotal moment in our national history, and we are proud to commemorate this historic event. The 1812 exhibition gives all Canadians an opportunity to learn more about a complex conflict that changed Canada’s destiny and set it on the path to nationhood.”

— Mark O’Neill, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, which operates the Canadian War Museum

1812 Special Exhibition, Ottawa

Presented at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, the innovative 650 square metre special exhibition, 1812 explored the conflict through the eyes of the war’s four main participants: Canadians, Americans, the British and Native Americans. Supported by National Presenting Sponsor TD Bank Group and National Supporting Sponsor Ancestry.ca, it opened to the public on 13 June 2012 and will close on 6 January 2013. Featuring more than 120 artifacts from North American and British institutions, this unprecedented dynamic approach provides visitors a deeper understanding of the war, its causes, and its consequences.

  • Introduction, 1812 - CWM2012-0044-0001-Dm

    Introduction, 1812

  • The Hub, 1812 - CWM2012-0044-0002-Dm

    The Hub, 1812

  • The British War, 1812 - CWM2012-0044-0005-Dm

    The British War, 1812

  • The Canadian War, 1812 - CWM2012-0044-0004-Dm

    The Canadian War, 1812

  • Activity Zone, 1812 - CWM2012-0044-0003-Dm

    Activity Zone, 1812

  • The Native American War - CWM2012-0048-0014-Dm

    The Native American War, 1812

  • The American War - CWM2012-0048-0035-Dm

    The American War, 1812

  • Behind the Scenes of 1812

    Behind the Scenes of 1812

1812 Travelling Exhibitions

Created to bring the dramatic story of the War of 1812 and its consequences to venues across Canada, two travelling versions of the 1812 exhibition explore the conflict through the eyes of its four main participants: Canadians, Americans, the British, and Native Americans. Both versions are supported by National Presenting Sponsor TD Bank Group and National Supporting Sponsor Ancestry.ca. To find out more, including the dates and locations of their presentation, please click on the following link https://www.warmuseum.ca/event/1812-1.

  • 1812 Travelling Exhibitions

    1812 Travelling Exhibitions

  • 1812 Travelling Exhibitions

    1812 Travelling Exhibitions

Four Wars of 1812

A companion publication for the exhibition, entitled Four Wars of 1812, written by Canadian War Museum Pre-Confederation historian Dr. Peter MacLeod and co-published with Douglas & McIntyre, was released on 30 May 2012. As with the exhibition 1812, the publication presents the same innovative approach to the conflict by exploring it from four perspectives. Four Wars of 1812 has also been translated into French, making it one of the few current publications on the War 1812 available in that language.

  • Four Wars of 1812

    Four Wars of 1812

Faces of 1812

As a complement to 1812, the Canadian War Museum is proud to present Faces of 1812, an exhibition created by Library and Archives Canada that highlights the human side of the War of 1812. Displayed in the corridor adjacent to the main 1812 exhibition, Faces of 1812 features portraits from Library and Archives’ collection, supplemented by artifacts and other art works depicting military scenes and everyday life.

  • Faces of 1812

    Faces of 1812

It will be on display at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa from 13 June 2012 until 6 January 2013.