Research facilities and services
The Military History Research Centre (MHRC) is open, by appointment only, Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. Access to the MHRC is free and does not require a Museum entrance ticket.
Visitors to the Military History Research Centre will find a comfortable main reading room overlooking a landscape design inspired by the First World War battlefield of Beaumont Hamel, France. There is also an Archives Reading Room for researchers accessing archival documents, photographs, and rare books. Photocopy and reproduction services are available.
Our staff is always pleased to answer your questions and to assist you with accessing our collections and with completing your research.
We offer:
- orientation to our collections and services
- assistance in using our databases, finding aids, and equipment
- assistance in planning your search
- assistance in locating items in our open collection
- written documentation on the most frequently used services
- referral on other resources suitable for your research
Consulting our collections
To consult archival material, appointments must be made at least one week in advance. Library appointments require at least 72 hours’ notice. To ensure availability, we recommend booking your appointment at least two weeks in advance. To book an appointment, please email us at mhrc-crhm@warmuseum.ca.
For security purposes, personal belongings including briefcases, backpacks, purses and bags larger than 30 cm x 40 cm, folders, umbrellas, and outerwear such as overcoats and raincoats must be stored in the cloakroom or in the lockers near the entrance to the Military History Research Centre. Small purses, wallets, research notes, personal computers without carrying cases, and personal dictation devices may be taken into the Research Centre. Eating, drinking, and cell phone use are not permitted in the Research Centre.
If you are requesting items from the archival or rare book collections, you will be asked to complete a Visitor Registration Form, as well as review our Guidelines for Handling Material in the Military History Research Collections.
For more information, please see:
Hours of operation
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed