Stand at the helm of a WWII replica ship and take a journey back in time at the museum that pays homage to the brave men and women of the Canadian military.
The very first thing most people see when they step through the doors of the Calgary Military Museums is the incredible Mural of Honour. Standing 3.6 metres high, the mural is made up of a number of individual tiles, each depicting different scenes from conflicts throughout history. When viewed as a piece, the mural also represents the three services honoured in the museum: the army, navy and air force.Head to the Army Museum of Alberta first for a look at its wide-ranging collection of memorabilia, uniforms and archive materials. Learn about the history of the army from 1885 right up to the present day, as well as taking in exhibitions on the specific role of women and the contributions of the country's First Peoples. The kids, in particular, will want to meet Skinner, the museum's resident talking horse, and will also be entertained by the interactive audio element of the many photography exhibits.Next stop is the Naval gallery for the chance to stand at the wheel of a WWII replica ship. This part of the museum is also home to a Banshee jet fighter and a German enigma coding machine – not something you get to see every day!The section of the museum dedicated to the Canadian Air Force tracks the force's history from its early days to the current time. Absorb the story of the air force through a series of artefacts, interactive exhibitions and display models. Also located here is a piece of the Red Baron's plane, and a theatre designed in the style of a Hercules aircraft where visitors can learn about Canadian bomber squadrons and the day-to-day activities of the modern force.Make sure to visit the gift shop before you leave and choose a memento from the wealth of model aircraft and souvenir medals. The star of the souvenir show has to be the beautiful graphic novel based around the 1812 War.The Military Museums are situated in Calgary's Garrison Woods neighbourhood. It takes about 15 minutes to get here by car from the city centre, and there is plentiful on-site parking. A number of city buses also stop a few blocks away. The museum is open every day apart from major public holidays and there is a charge to enter.
