What we do
The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, a once-top secret, four-storey underground bunker, was originally designed as the centre for Canada’s defence against nuclear attack during the Cold War. For 25 years, the Diefenbunker has operated as a one-of-a-kind museum, national historic site, and not-for-profit, charitable organization preserving and promoting Canada’s Cold War history. The museum offers visitors an immersive look into the past through award-winning programs, events, exhibitions, and escape rooms. Welcoming close to 70,000 visitors per year from around the world, the museum is an important economic and tourism driver for rural West Ottawa.
How you can help
Donate
The Diefenbunker is Canada’s most significant Cold War artifact and a powerful reminder of our world on the edge of nuclear war. It tells the story of Canada’s resourcefulness, preparedness, and extraordinary efforts to safeguard our way of life in the face of a nuclear catastrophe. Help us preserve this important window into the past and keep Canada’s most significant Cold War artifact accessible for future generations.
The Diefenbunker also offers a one-of-a-kind experiential learning environment 75 feet underground. Through a variety of interactive educational programs, youth can immerse themselves in the complexities of the Cold War and build their understanding of a critical period in recent world history. Your gift makes a difference as we continue to share important lessons from our past so we can envision a more peaceful future.
Volunteer
The museum was founded by a group of volunteers, many of them former CFS Carp employees. To this day, volunteers remain an important part of our museum operations and our efforts to preserve and promote history. We welcome volunteers to assist with tours, facility maintenance, collections, our amateur radio station, and more. Lend your skills and experience and be part of a team of passionate individuals.
Become a member
Sign up today to experience all we have to offer underground, time after time. Immerse yourself in stories and artifacts from the past and explore the Diefenbunker’s underground secrets year-round with free admission. Members also receive discounts on Diefenbunker events and programs, exclusive invitations, and more. Repeat history and contribute to our efforts to preserve Canada’s most significant Cold War artifact.
Events + fundraising
Our signature Whisky Tasting Fundraiser is held annually in November. At this sell-out event, guests are invited to experience an evening of tasteful pairings: whisky sampling and a walk through history, with light fare and tasteful tunes to cleanse the palate. Each year features a unique theme, local fare, a silent auction, and more. Funds from this and other events held throughout the year contribute to the preservation of our national historic site.
Project highlight
In 2023, the Diefenbunker completed a major three-year capital project that upgraded our HVAC system, improved electrical infrastructure, and added accessibility features like a stair lift device and fully accessible washrooms. This milestone investment of $1,089,269.50 from the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada, along with $402,880.50 of the museum’s own capital funds, allowed us to make huge strides in addressing the Diefenbunker’s aging infrastructure, for us to safeguard this unique Cold War artifact and national historic site and ensure its continued operation for years to come.
Get in touch:
3929 Carp Road
Ottawa, ON
K0A 1L0
diefenbunker.ca
reservations@diefenbunker.ca
Year founded: 1998
Total revenue for last fiscal year: $1,607,550
Twitter/X: @diefenbunker
Facebook: @diefenbunker
Instagram: @diefenbunker
Christine McGuire, executive director
Susan McLeod, chair, Board of Directors
BOARD MEMBERS
- Joanne Charette, vice-chair
- Kyle Morrow, secretary
- Joe Brown, treasurer
- Colleen Kelley, director
- Daniel Livermore, director
- Lorraine Mastersmith, director
- Linda Nixon, director
- Heather Paszkowski, director
- Tim Redpath, director
- Ron Roedig, director
- Sandra Waechter, director
TOP FUNDING SOURCES
Museum tours & other revenue: 52%
Grants: 48%
GEOGRAPHIC REGION OF FOCUS
National Capital Region
