Thousands line up to get their first glimpse of the newly renovated Canadian Museum of Nature.
Thousands of people poured into the newly renovated Canadian Museum of Nature May 22 to check out new exhibits and enjoy the festivities of the museum’s grand re-opening.
The event drew 10,800 visitors between noon, when the doors opened, and 4 p.m. when the last count was tallied.
The last time the 100-year-old building received anywhere near this many visitors was 13 years ago when 6,000 people attended a special Halloween event.
Lines stretched down McLeod Street and around the museum onto Argyle Street.
Renovations have been underway for six years at a cost of $216 million, paid for by the federal government.
Two new galleries, The RBC Blue Water Gallery, and The Vale Earth Gallery drew crowds which were able to see a 20-metre skeleton of a blue whale, the only one of its kind in Canada, and more than 1000 rocks and minerals, many of which had never been displayed publicly before.
Although visitors had to negotiate long lines and humid weather, there were entertainers dressed like insects and reptiles abound to help pass the time.
Once inside the museum, visitors were instantly struck by the effect of the new glass lantern tower over the foyer filled with a booming brass orchestra which bellowed classics through the cavernous heritage building.
The afternoon was filled with many family-oriented activities ranging from new interactive exhibits to video screenings to a performance by the Junkyard Symphony.
The museum will stay open to midnight and will feature an adult nature movie called Green Porno and a wine bar.
Festivities will continue until Monday when the museum will celebrate Victoria Day with a giant birthday cake and tulip tea in honour of Queen Victoria, who is the building’s namesake.