Today I start a new series, with a visit made last month to the Canadian Museum of Nature. Another of the national museums here in the capital region, the Museum of Nature has its origins dating back to 1856, and is housed in the Victoria Memorial Museum Building downtown. This castle, built in memory of the late Queen, mixes the Gothic and Tudor styles, with some Beaux-Arts as well. In recent years it has seen modifications, including the glass tower called the Queens Lantern, which replaced an original stone tower that was removed some years after the building was erected. The building has housed more than one museum collection over the years, as Nature shared space with what is now the Museum of History, and has even housed Parliament for some years after the 1916 fire that destroyed Centre Block. These days it is exclusively home to the Museum of Nature, which organizes its galleries thematically.
Here we have a view from the Landscapes of Canada Gardens, with the statues of a family of mammoths.
The building itself is a beauty, with animals carved into the walls.
Inside the entrance, there are more details to be found, and historical plaques.
And there are stunning stained glass windows, with nature and science as the themes.
I finish for today with a view of one of the interior stained glass windows, taken inside the central atrium. Tomorrow we start with the tour.
Nice ohotos of a Beautiful building. The carvings over the window are stunning.
ReplyDelete...William, it's interesting to see the modern addition to this classic building.
ReplyDeleteOld and new, I always love this architectural style!
ReplyDeleteA great museum. I need to revisit it. I usually stay with my daughter just for a weekend. Maybe it's time to go for a week and do some of this stuff while she is at work from Monday to Friday.
ReplyDeleteStained glass always catches my eye.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful building and the contrast of the newer addition is interesting!
ReplyDeleteFascinating narrative and photos!
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday!
The stained glass is really lovely, William. Nice contrasts between the dark and light.
ReplyDeleteIt looks to be in wonderful condition, William.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive building. The stained glass windows are beautiful.
ReplyDelete@Maywyn: they are.
ReplyDelete@Tom: it is indeed.
@Iris: I do too.
@David: two or three museums in a week would be a good idea.
@Marie: mine too.
@Tanya: definitely.
@Veronica: thanks.
@Jeanie: that's what I thought.
@RedPat: it is.
@Nancy: they are.
The building itself is magnificent William, The addition of the glass tower surprisingly works really well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a grand castle-like building.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful building and the stained glass is gorgeous
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful building. But mammoth family is the best part for me :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch pretty stained glass windows!
ReplyDeleteThat mammoth family statues are fabulous. Love the stained glass windows, very pretty.
ReplyDeleteLove the mammoths, but the stained glass on science rather than religion is just wonderful...!
ReplyDeleteThat is quite the edifice ~ love the elephant sculpture ~ gorgeous stain glass ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Moments to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
It's a pity that the center blog was replaced with this glass box ! They do that here too and it is so ugly! I love the sculptures and the stained glass is very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWell, the Queen certainly has a futuristic-looking lantern, not sure that it sits happily with the rest of the building. Certainly quite a contrast with the family of mammoths!
ReplyDeleteHello, it is a beautiful building. I like the stained glass and the sculptures. Wishing you a great day!
ReplyDelete@Grace: I agree.
ReplyDelete@Sharon: it certainly is.
@Bill: I definitely think so.
@Tamago: they are quite a sight to see.
@Happyone: that they are.
@Sami: thank you!
@Barbara: quite different than the usual stained glass motif.
@Carol: thanks!
@Gattina: it probably is best appreciated from the inside.
@John: it definitely is.
@Eileen: thank you.
Beautiful building and stained glass windows! Tweeted.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent building.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful stained glass! And I also like the mammoth family. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful building, and I like the stained glass.
ReplyDeleteI have my doubts about the big glass construction at the outside of the building.
Those animals carved over windows are outstanding.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! The stained glass is impressive and beautiful, and the woolly mammoth family too.
ReplyDelete@Mari: thank you.
ReplyDelete@Jim: that it is.
@DJan: I do as well.
@Jan: it's best seen from within.
@Joanne: they are indeed.
@Denise: thank you!
Impressive building with beautiful stained glass windows.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI can imagine coming home from the pub some night, a little the worse for wear, and encountering those mammoths and becoming quite miffed.
ReplyDeleteThey'd make you look twice.
DeleteThe building is very fine on the outside, even more striking within.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is.
DeleteWilliam - it's a little shocking to see that glass in the midst of such traditional architecture, but it works! Looking forward to seeing more of the interior!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat fabulous photos, really like the glass tower and the stained glass windows.
ReplyDeleteSo do I.
DeleteAmazing stained glass windows.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
That they are.
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