Nature Museum Reopens This Weekend

The Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa will reopen on May 22 in grand style. A $216-million renovation over the past six years – funded by the Government of Canada – has transformed the stone building into a state-of-the-art museum of the nation’s natural wonders.

New galleries have been added to the museum, including an earth gallery, a fossil gallery, a blue-water gallery and the "Animalium" – a gallery filled with live insects like spiders, scorpions and cockroaches. The museum also features the largest exhibition of stuffed Canadian birds.

"Thanks to the major investment made by the Government of Canada, we now have a fully modern natural science museum housed in a significant national historic site," said Joanne DiCosimo, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature, in a statement. "Canada now has a fitting national museum showcase to illustrate and engage the public in the extraordinary variety and complexity of our unique natural environment.”

The museum will incorporate environmental issues with its 10.6-million-piece collection.

Opening weekend, which coincides with International Day for Biological Diversity, will feature a celebratory parade led by the town crier, a marching band and performers on May 22. Following the parade, the unveiling ceremony will take place. Admission for the day will be free.

Events continue throughout the weekend, including a dance, a concert featuring the National Capital Concert Band, ghost tours, movies and more.

For more information, visit www.nature.ca.