Museum of Nature to close for October

Today is the last day to visit the Canadian Museum of Nature. The following was posted to ottawaevents.org:

The Canadian Museum of Nature will close its public exhibitions site, the Victoria Memorial Museum Building, at 240 McLeod Street for four weeks from October 5 to 30, 2009. The closure is required to complete a necessary step in the historic building's renewal, namely testing of the life support and safety systems (e.g. fire alarms, sprinklers, electrical) in the areas under construction, and linking of these systems to those in the currently occupied areas. On October 31, the museum will reopen with its popular galleries in the West Wing (Fossil, Mammal and Bird Galleries). Following the October closure, staff will begin installation of new galleries in preparation for the grand reopening of the entire downtown site on May 22, 2010, International Biodiversity Day. For more information: 613-566-4700 or nature.ca/reno

You can't go in the front door:

You'll have to take the construction entrance:

If you don't make it today and can't wait until November, here are some Museum of Nature related things to keep your interest satisfied:

• View previous posts with the Museum of Nature label


• A Mugging on McLeod, the Midcentury Modernist's critique of the ongoing renovations (including historical photos of the Victoria Memorial Museum building)


• The Museum of Nature's Gallery
, from the Museum of Nature Flickr Photostream

I have some photos of the later stages of construction, which I'll likely post when the exterior renovations are nearer completion.