Sensory Bags
On April 23, 2024, we introduced a sensory bag program at the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum! This new offering was developed by the Ottawa Museum Network for their member museums, to be implemented as a specialized resource for visitors. These backpacks are...
75 Years of NATO: A Legacy of Unity, Security, and Collective Defence
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been a pillar of international security and cooperation since its establishment in 1949. Today, April 4, 2024, marks the 75th anniversary of this intergovernmental military alliance that ultimately shaped the...
Time is Ticking: The Tale of the Doomsday Clock
The Doomsday Clock, created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in 1947, is a symbolic representation of how close humanity is to global catastrophe — or, midnight. The concept of Doomsday Clock was created at a time of great danger for humanity — the United...
What Would You Do?
Over the last several months, we’ve been asking visitors to step into the shoes of the 500 to 600 government officials, military personnel, and civilians who had designated roles within the Diefenbunker between 1962 and 1994. These roles, ranging from health care to...
From Tool to Artifact: Unveiling the History of a Fire Axe
New year, new artifact feature! We are pleased to share an object that symbolizes the conflict preparedness necessitated by the Cold War — a fire axe. The axe is one of the oldest tools known to humanity, dating back to the Early Stone Age where it served as an...
Celebrating 10 Years of Art Underground
We are commemorating the 10th anniversary of our Artist-in-Residence program, which has fostered connections between the museum, local artists, and the wider Ottawa community since 2014. The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum is seeking applications for its 2024...
Digitizing our Collections
Thanks to funding through the Digital Access to Heritage component of Canadian Heritage’s Museums Assistance Program (MAP), the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum has been able to take significant steps toward digitizing its collections holdings. In August of...
Ontario Trillium Foundation Funding
Over the last year, the Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum has made significant strides in upgrading accessibility throughout the facility, implementing projects that have made visitor spaces and experiences more inclusive. In November of 2023, we opened a...
25 Artifacts: Marx Toy Jeep & Box
(25/25) After a whole year of highlighting never-before-seen artifacts from within our collections in honour of the Diefenbunker’s 25th anniversary, today, we are featuring the last one of this milestone year! What better artifact to conclude this series and...
25 Artifacts: Christmas Dinner Menu
(24/25) Merry Christmas! As we approach the final two artifact features in this year’s series highlighting 25 artifacts from within the Diefenbunker’s collections, today, to celebrate the holidays, we are featuring a Christmas dinner menu from 1976. An annual...