Description of Historic Place

Designed in a Tudor Revival style, the War Museum consists of a compact rectangular structure with a formal symmetrical facade with a centrally placed entrance emphasized by a projecting bay and raised parapet. A later wing is designed in a similar style with slightly different decorative detailing. The building is located on Sussex Drive where it is one of a number of important public buildings along the street. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

As the first permanent home of both the Dominion Archives (now the National Archives of Canada) and the War Museum, the building contributed substantially to Canada's growing sense of nationhood during the Laurier era. During the first decade and a half of the 20th century, Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier led many projects to create a city worthy of a nation’s capital. Since its construction, the War Museum building has assumed important landmark status in Ottawa. It also makes an important contributions to the streetscape of Sussex Drive. Continuity between the two functions, archives and museum, is further demonstrated by its connection to Sir Arthur Doughty, Dominion Archivist 1904-35, who was a key figure in the development of both institutions.

The earliest portion of the building (c 1905) is strong compact mass, the details and materials of which are well suited to its function. The 1925 addition, intended to be the first of two proposed wings, is designed in similar style but with more overtly Tudor detailing. The War Museum exhibits good functional design characteristics. It was purpose-built to carry the substantial loads imposed by archival storage, to provide large open spaces with minimal intermediate supports, and to be fireproof.

Sources:
Kate MacFarlane, Former Dominion Archives Building/Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report 86-087; Former Dominion Archives Building/Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement, 86-087.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage character of the building resides primarily in:
-its association with the National Archives and Canadian War Museum;
-the main facades, particularly those of the c1905 block;
-its successful structural design and plan;
-its fine setting on Sussex Drive adjacent to the Royal Canadian Mint and the
National Gallery;
-its Tudor-Gothic style.