Canadian Children's Museum

Canadian Children's Museum
Musée canadien des enfants
Exhitibts at the Canadian Children's Museum
Map
Established1989
LocationCanadian Museum of History, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
TypeChildren's museum
Websitewww.historymuseum.ca/visit/childrens-museum/

The Canadian Children's Museum (CCM) is a children's museum and exhibition operated by the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. The CCM attracts about half a million visitors each year.[1] It is also Canada's largest exhibition centre (3,000 m2 (32,000 sq ft)) designed specifically for children up to age 14 and their adult companions.[citation needed]

History[edit]

The Children's Museum opened in 1989 when the Canadian Museum of History (then known as the Canadian Museum of Civilization) moved into its current building in Gatineau.[2] The Canadian Museum of History has expanded the exhibition twice since its opening, first in 1994 and again in 2007. At the end of July 2007, it welcomed its eight-millionth visitor.[1] The museum announced that it would undertake a major renewal project from January 2020.[3] It reopened in May 2022.[4]

Exhibits[edit]

Most of the space is devoted to the museum's permanent exhibition The Great Adventure (French: La Grande Aventure).[5][6] This displays multi-cultural destinations (Nigeria, Japan, India, Mexico, Indonesia) geared towards children 14 and under.[7] The exhibit contains activities geared towards children, including a library and theater.[citation needed] The CCM also presents a changing line-up of special exhibitions curated internally or acquired from other institutions.

In September 2022, the museum opened a one-year exhibition titled, "From Pepinot to PAW Patrol – Television of Our Childhoods," which explores 70 years of television programming for children. It features approximately a hundred shows in English, French, and indigenous languages. The exhibition was developed in collaboration with CBC/Radio-Canada and with the participation of Télé-Québec.[8]

Collections[edit]

The Children's Museum has a permanent collection of more than 15,000 items for use in its exhibitions and programs.[citation needed] The items include artifacts, toys, games, clothing, art, photographs and other objects from around the world that relate to the lives of children, past and present.

Affiliations[edit]

The CCM is a member of the international Association of Children's Museums, and the only Canadian member of the Youth Museums Exhibit Collaborative.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Chief, Media Relations (26 July 2007). "Small visitors make for huge success at Canadian Children's Museum - 8-millionth visitor heralded this morning" (Press release). Canadian Museum of Civilization. Archived from the original on 7 June 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2007.
  2. ^ "Canadian Children's Museum". Outaouais Heritage WebMagazine. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  3. ^ Children's Museum seeks input as it plans major makeover. Canada: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 October 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2023. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Canadian Children's Museum opening later this month". CityNews Ottawa. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Visiting the Canadian Children's Museum". travelmuse.com. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  6. ^ "The Great Adventure – Phase III". toboggandesign.com. 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  7. ^ "The Great Adventure". Canadian Children's Museum. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Revisit Canadian children's television at museum in Gatineau". Montreal Families. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  9. ^ "Youth Museums Exhibit Collaborative". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-08-31.

External links[edit]

45°25′45″N 075°42′32″W / 45.42917°N 75.70889°W / 45.42917; -75.70889 (Canadian Children's Museum)