1993
April:
It was known that the Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Carp would be closing the following year, so a group of concerned citizens asked local council to negotiate a long-term lease or sale of the station from the federal government in order to investigate the possibility of developing the site as ‘The Carp Centre’. Initially this would require reduced military personnel to remain on-site for up to two years after the official closing. This plan also involved the liaison between the military and the local group through a proposed Base Transition Officer with the requirement that certain areas of the bunker be left furnished and functioning. The site and buildings were seen as having potential use for the community library, community centre, parkland, fire hall, hostel, and corporate storage facility.
1994
June:
Through the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) separately begins process of designating the Central Emergency Government Headquarters as a National Historic Site of Canada based on a report by staff historian David McDonnell.
Sept:
Military moves out in the fall, with the Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the Military Communications and Electronics Museum in Kingston saving only a few items from the furnishings. Largest item saved was the CBC Radio studio.
Nov:
HSMBC receives word of the departure of the military. Some Board members urge that the designation be reviewed. Board does not rescind designation but does ask Parks Canada to investigate the repercussions of sealing the bunker in such a manner that it could be opened at a later date.
Procedure for selling lands and buildings to Township of West Carleton for about $200,000 started.
1995
Sept:
Parks Canada representatives meet with Township of West Carleton council to explain the HSMBC, to give examples of other national historic sites of Canada and to ask that Parks Canada work with local interested parties to develop strategies. Several meetings with the council follow, and Parks Canada agrees to pay interim costs until a management plan can be created.
Oct:
Military was reluctantly to start sealing the bunker entrance with concrete Oct 16 and held off doing so until negotiations were completed. Fundraising group for the library begins to offer special tours of the bunker to raise money for the library. Tours are a success and raise $78,570.24 over several weekends (Oct 7-15, Oct 20-22). Tourists sign scroll which was to be left in the bank vault if the place was sealed. CJOH -TV airs a report which publicises the success of the tours.
Nov:
Diefenbunker Historic Site Committee (DHSC) formed to redefine possible usages for the site.
1996
May:
Process of selling federal lands to Township of West Carleton completed. DHSC submits proposal to local mayor and council.
June:
Council unable to meet with DHSC. Council commissions study on use of lands for housing development. Parks Canada continues to work with mayor/township to develop the site or to seal it properly to minimize future damage.
Aug:
Dixie Trenholm organizes more tours for Aug14-18, Aug 21-25, Aug 28-Sept 2. Including the 1995 tours, a total of 7,355 people attend with $116,758.51 being raised. Throughout it all, there are about 220 volunteers who help to organize the bunker tours and who continue to raise funds for the library.
Fall: Township puts land up for lease, hires Royal Lepage Realty agent.
Deadline May 20/97.
1997
Jan 8:
Diefenbunker Development Group (DDG) formed to help Council develop other plans for the site. First members are Barry Bruce (Chair), Dixie and Locks Trenholm, Katherine Hollinsworth, Jon Higginson-Murray, Larry Claus, Beth Sweetnam, Bill Birrell. Robin Sully joins in February. Some initial proposals made, leading to an article in the Arnprior News (19/01/97) about the bunker possibly being saved.
March/May:
DDG solidifies proposals and financial plan, based somewhat on DHSC plans created earlier. Idea to propose a ‘Development Tool Kit’. Parks Canada expresses further interest in working with the group.
May 27:
DDG proposes to Council to take over bunker on a trial basis for the summer to offer tours. Council votes 3 to 2 to accept. Two other solid proposals also considered, a fireworks plant and a data storage facility, but decisions are held until the next Council meeting, where they are defeated. DDG expands to include Business Development Group (John Horwitz, Bob Borden), Programming Chair (Connie Higginson-Murray), Volunteer Coordinator (Doug McNab), Building Maintenance (Peter Remillard) and Fundraising.
July/August:
Public tours held.
Oct 14:
DDG proposes to take over sole ownership which is then tentatively transferred to DDG pending future negotiations.
1998
Feb:
The Diefenbunker – Canada’s Cold War Museum (Corporation) formed and operated as a not-for-profit organization. DDG ceases.
June:
Negotiations completed and the approximately 14 acres inside the inner perimeter fence are sold to the DCCWM for $2 with approximately 4 acres adjoining the road to be leased to the DCCWM for 5 years until a recreational planning exercise is completed.
June 27:
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada unveils official plaque in large ceremony at the site with over 300 in attendance. Speeches by Lt. Col. Dave Peters (ret’d), Dr. Barry Bruce, local MP Ian Murray, George Brimmell and others. Site opens full time until Labour Day, then weekends until mid-October, afterwards by special appointment.
1999
May:
Site opens daily, year round.
2002
June:
City of Ottawa supplies first portion of a continuing yearly grant to the museum to be used to augment staffing budget.
Fall:
Shawna Moffatt hired as second official Curator.
2003
June 12:
Cold War Research Library opens
2008
The Diefenbunker celebrates its tenth anniversary with the Cold War: Hot Blast gala and launches its fundraising campaign.
The museum welcomes a record 36,000 visitors.
