A century of architecture at The Canadian Museum of Nature

Reflecting two significantly different architectural styles and periods, this image was taken inside the Canadian Museum of Nature, looking through the original building, which dates back to 1912, whose Beaux-Arts style stresses symmetrical and axial plans, into the contemporary addition comprised of glass and cool modern lines. The dichotomy between the two architectural styles - with almost a century of time between them - is evident in this image.

The museum resides in the first building in Canada created to house a national museum. It's a national historic site and the birthplace of Canada's national museums. The Victoria Memorial Museum Building's chief architect and designer, David Ewart, created a fanciful castle-like structure that has been described as Scottish Baronial in design. Ewart's structures reflect the Romanesque and medieval styles of Europe, with a combination of Tudor and Gothic features.

History:

“In 1903, Supreme Court Justice William Stewart's 3.6 hectare (9 acre) cow pasture is chosen on what was then the outskirts of Ottawa. It is located exactly one mile south of Parliament Hill. In 1905, work began on the building, which was to be formed out of local sandstone. Three hundred Scottish stonemasons were brought across the Atlantic to work on the building. In 1912, The Victoria Memorial Museum Building opened to the public.” [1]

“In 1916, a fire consumed most of Canada's Parliament Buildings, this would have a dramatic effect on the course of the museum for four years. The fire was believed to have started from a smouldering cigar in the House of Commons Reading Room. It destroyed the Centre Block and caused the tower to crumble. Seven people died in the catastrophe. Despite the devastation, the business of Parliament needed to continue. Canada was in the midst of the First World War. The best solution for a temporary site lay one mile due south—at this museum, which had just opened in 1912 as Canada's first national museum. The morning after the fire, the theatre of the museum was converted into a temporary Commons Chamber. It included a gallery for visitors and the press. That afternoon, the House of Commons sat and conducted business as usual. Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden acknowledged condolences for the devastation of the fire and the loss of seven lives. Parliament stayed in the museum for four years.” [2]

Sources: [1] History and Buildings. Canadian Museum of Nature. Retrieved from <a href="https://nature.ca/en/about-us/history-buildings" rel="noreferrer nofollow">nature.ca/en/about-us/history-buildings</a>