Organizational Structure

The Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation is responsible for the management of Canada's national museum of human history, the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC), and its affiliate, the national museum of military history, the Canadian War Museum (CWM).

The Canadian Museum of Civilization's origins are linked to the research and collection activities of the Geological Survey of Canada, established in 1842, which became the National Museum of Canada in 1927. In 1968, a separate museum dealing with human history -- the National Museum of Man -- was established, changing its name to the Canadian Museum of Civilization in 1986. Since the opening of its new facility in Hull, Quebec on June 29, 1989, the CMC has been recognized as one of the premier cultural facilities of the twentieth century. It is Canada's largest and most popular museum, with average attendance of over 1,300,000 visitors annually.

The Canadian War Museum dates from 1880, when militia officers of the Ottawa Garrison established a military museum in the drill hall at Cartier Square. In 1967, the CWM was relocated to its present facility at 330 Sussex Drive, in Ottawa. The Canadian War Museum is the nation's premier military museum. With the recent addition of new and renovated post-Second World War galleries dedicated to Canadian military heroes and the Korean War, the CWM is drawing national and international recognition for excellence. During 1995-1996, the CWM welcomed over 215,000 visitors

The main functions of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation relate to collections, research, and exhibitions and programmes which inform visitors on, and engage their interest in, cultural aspects of our country.

The Corporation's Board of Trustees sets broad strategic direction, long-term objectives and priorities for the organization. The Board is also responsible for ensuring that the CMCC management team fulfils its responsibilities with respect to the effective and efficient operation of the organization. On November 1, 1995, Bill C-65 reduced the number of our Board members from 14 to 11.

A key objective of the Corporation is to foster in all Canadians a sense of common identity and history and to promote Canadian unity -- not only for museum visitors, but also for Canadians across the nation. It places increasing emphasis on outreach programmes to bring its collections of objects and knowledge to larger audiences outside of Canada's Capital Region.

The Corporation is currently working on the development of a "virtual" museum. The Museum of New France will be in digital format, accessible through the World Wide Web (Internet), and will link and make available a broad range of information on collections around the world.