Category Archives: History

Cabinets, Cabinets Everywhere: The Sequel

Posted on January 18, 2017 by

Meteorites and fossil plant type specimens are among the first of the collections of the Geological Survey of Canada to be housed within our walls. It’s the first part of an important move taking place in 2017. Continue reading →

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A Green Tour of Rideau Hall for Museum Botanists

Posted on September 12, 2016 by

This summer, museum botanists toured the magnificent rooms and greenhouses of Rideau Hall, the residence of the Governor General of Canada, in Ottawa, Ontario. Continue reading →

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Happy Darwin Day! Evolutionary Transitions Abound at the Canadian Museum of Nature

Posted on February 12, 2016 by

In honour of Charles Darwin’s birthday, palaeontologist Jordan Mallon went digging in the museum’s fossil collection and found fascinating examples of evolution at work—evidence of evolutionary transitions through time. Continue reading →

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House Guests at the Castle

Posted on February 3, 2016 by

Our museum became the seat of Canada’s government after fire destroyed the Parliament Buildings in 1916. The House of Commons and Senate stayed for four years. Continue reading →

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Cabinets, Cabinets Everywhere: Getting Ready to Welcome New Collections From Geological Survey of Canada

Posted on May 24, 2015 by

In 1842, Sir William Logan and his colleagues undertook a comprehensive geological survey of Canada. A great many of the specimens they collected are moving to the Canadian Museum of Nature. Palaeobiologist Kathlyn Stewart tells about the preparations that are underway to welcome these precious specimens. Continue reading →

Posted in Collections, Fossils, History, Rocks and minerals | Tagged , | 4 Comments

A Wealth of Information on a Glass Slide: Historical Photographs

Posted on November 21, 2014 by

In scientific research, an image is worth a thousand… data points! How were 20th-century discoveries captured in visual form? Find out about the tools of the first fossil hunters. Continue reading →

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Telling the Story of the Final Franklin Expedition Here at the Museum

Posted on October 24, 2014 by

Objects from the last landfall of Sir John Franklin’s tragic voyage (1845–1848) provide an intimate look at the experience of the stranded men, as told through their personal items and equipment. Continue reading →

Posted in Arctic, Collections, Exhibitions, History | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A Rare, 19th-Century Manuscript Chronicles the Quest of an Amateur Naturalist

Posted on April 11, 2014 by

As a great lover of books, our colleague Ted Sypniewski helps us discover a rare manuscript in our collection. “When I turn the delicate pages and admire the wonderful drawings, I like having a bit of the soul of this man in my hands”, says Ted. Continue reading →

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Botanical and Cultural Treasure, Hidden in Plain Sight

Posted on March 14, 2014 by

Rare plant specimens from an expedition that came to a tragic end were recently discovered in the collections of the Canadian Museum of Nature. Jennifer Doubt explains the importance of this extraordinary find. Continue reading →

Posted in Arctic, History, Plants and Algae | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Amateur Collectors: The Original Crowdsourced Science

Posted on January 30, 2014 by

The contribution of amateur naturalists to the museum’s collections is invaluable. Paul Sokoloff presents three such “citizen scientists”: Arthur Waghorne, William Stewart and Eileene Stewart. Continue reading →

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