Museum Tales

Continuing today with the panels around this spot in the Museum of Nature, which cover the history and architecture of the building. For those few years while Centre Block was being rebuilt after the 1916 fire, Parliament met in this building. Wilfred Laurier, whose time as Prime Minister had ended in an election several years earlier and had continued as Liberal leader, nonetheless had the right to a state funeral, and his body laid in state in the Museum after his death.

A look up takes in La Meduse again, this time from below.

The glass tower, called the Queens Lantern, honours two queens, Victoria and Elizabeth. The latter re-dedicated the museum during a visit in 2010. Upon her departure with Prince Philip, the motorcade went up Metcalfe and past me, so I can honestly say that I've seen the Queen with my own eyes.

Of course there are ghost stories to be found with a building like this.

Here we have a view looking down to the lower level. The plaque re-dedicating the museum is down there to the left of the windows.

And a view inside the atrium looking up.

The next gallery is still on this level, the Bird Gallery. The collection is in the larger space away from the entrance, but this first area includes educational activities and a few live specimens of insects and other creepy crawlies.

Obviously this isn't life sized, because if it was, we'd be in trouble. The Hercules beetle is strong for its size, capable of carrying objects much, much heavier than they are.  This sculpture is big enough for you to pose with.

A display of various butterflies is set up against a nearby wall. Tomorrow we'll start looking at some birds.

Gothic Castle

I have some more images from within the cave inside the Earth Gallery.

As mentioned yesterday, the booklet includes information on cave features.

One last look inside the Gallery.

Coming out into the Lantern area on this level, there are a number of historical panels to be found about the building.

Early on in its life, the Museum housed Parliament for several years when Centre Block was destroyed in the 1916 fire.

The Matrix

One of the hands on activities in the Earth Gallery is in an area that examines the metamorphic forces shaping the earth. This screen allows the visitor to morph their face. Visitors include thoroughly disreputable scoundrels.

It can start to feel like something out of The Matrix. With Morpheus being a white guy with genetic curse red cheeks.

"I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one who has to walk through it." 

The exhibit continues on.

An artificial cave has been created inside the Earth Gallery, with a booklet of information on cave features at the entrance. It feels quite like you might expect. Though you don't have to squeeze through tight spots to get in here. I'll pick up here tomorrow.

Minerals

The Earth Gallery explores minerals, and how some of them are crafted into gemstones. Display panels and cases are found throughout here, with colourful examples to be found.

Volcano

Returning today to my series on the Canadian Museum of Nature, an area here in the Earth Gallery examines volcanoes, with panels of information and photographs of each type, and rocks created by the various kinds.

A series of photographs grouped together brings it home just how devastating volcanic eruptions can be.

Earthquakes are also featured, including an interactive global map that shows you where recent quakes have been observed. A nearby panel shows the damage they cause.