The Military Museums

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The Military Museums is a reorganization of the former Museum of the Regiments in Calgary, announced by the Countess of Wessex on June 3, 2006. The new museum will comprise the former Museum of the Regiments as well as the relocated Naval Museum of Alberta and an Air Force Wing consisting of artifacts from the current Aerospace Museum.

The Museum of the Regiments was formally opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Calgary, Alberta on 30 June 1990. The museum, overseen by the Calgary Military Museums Society (CMMS), is a joint venture of the four military regiments in Calgary at that time; Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, the King's Own Calgary Regiment, and The Calgary Highlanders. The LdSH (RC) and PPCLI have since moved from the Calgary garrison to quarters in Edmonton.

The museum housed four galleries devoted to these four regiments, as well as a gallery devoted to the history of all military units in Alberta. As well, life size dioramas in the entryway to the museum highlighted the four regiments, and there are several displays on the outdoor grounds of the Museum, including an eternal flame, larger than life statues, and a collection of tanks, armoured cars and anti-tank guns.

The Museum also featured an extensive military history library as part of the holdings of the University of Calgary library, as well as the regimental archives of the four regiments.

The entryway to the museum was renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Atrium in May 2005 during a Royal Visit.

On June 3, 2006, the Museum was renamed The Military Museums. The Naval Museum of Alberta and the Calgary Aerospace Museum's military aircraft exhibits will be part of the new institution.