37 Years Later: Celebrate the Closure of the Canadian War Museum at 330 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, August 18, 2004 — The Canadian War Museum (CWM) at 330 Sussex Drive will permanently close its doors to the public on Monday, September 6. After 37 years at Sussex Drive, this location is closing so that staff can prepare artifacts for the move to the new Museum, set to open on LeBreton Flats in May 2005. Sussex Drive has been home to the Museum since 1967, and its closing is an important milestone in the history of the CWM. The public is encouraged to mark the occasion by visiting familiar exhibitions one last time and by participating in a fun-filled weekend of family activities.
To mark this historic occasion, the following special events have been scheduled for September 4 to 6, 2004:
All weekend in the General Motors Courtyard (free admission)- As part of a display of military vehicles, six different versions of the M113 armoured personnel carrier from the Museum’s permanent collection will be on display.
- Enjoy a last chance to see the exhibition Critical Care: Around the World; meet the men and women of the Canadian Forces Health Services, see their equipment and talk to them about their experiences.
- A barbecue will take place each day, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Children’s activities will include:
- Face painting: From colourful flags and symbols to tanks and trucks, face-painting artists will transform your face!
- Sketching and colouring: Paint a masterpiece on the spot and take home colouring sheets for later.
- Scrap-booking: Help the Canadian War Museum preserve its last days at Sussex. Kids are invited to create personalized pages for a War Museum scrap-book, using mementos, artwork, journaling or photos to record their memories of the War Museum.
- Children’s goody bags: Walk away with some memories of the Canadian War Museum. Limited quantities each day!
Saturday, September 4 in the General Motors Courtyard (free admission)- From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Tom Douglas, an author of books on military history for young people, will be on hand to sign books and talk to readers.
- From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Heritage Hands Ottawa Drum Club presents a special concert. Dedicated to keeping Canada’s rich history of precision rudimental drumming alive, the Club’s repertoire ranges from drum solos from the 1600s, to pieces written for Upper and Lower Canada and to popular world beat percussion of today.
Sunday, September 5 in the General Motors Courtyard (free admission)- From 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. and 12:00 to 12:45 p.m., the Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada from Montreal perform two concerts.
- From 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., the Maple Leaf Brass Band performs an afternoon concert.
Monday, September 6 in the General Motors Courtyard (free admission)- From 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. and 12:00 to 12:45 p.m., the Canadian Forces Central Band performs two concerts.
- From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., the Official Closing Ceremony of the Sussex Drive Museum includes a formal lowering of the flags, accompanied by a lone piper, speeches, and the cutting of a commemorative cake. This ceremony will take place rain or shine.
Please note that the book signing with Tom Douglas and the concerts will only go ahead weather permitting.
Public Information: (819) 776-8600 or 1-800-555-5621.
Information (media) :
Christina Selin
Senior Media Relations Officer
Canadian War Museum
Telephone: (819) 776-8607
Cellphone: (613) 371-4402
Fax: (819) 776-8623
E-mail: mailto:christina.selin@warmuseum.ca
Pierre Leduc
Communications Officer
Canadian War Museum
Phone: (819) 776-8608
E-mail: mailto:pierre.leduc@warmuseum.ca
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