Diefenbunker Museum

Diefenbunker Museum

The Diefenbunker Cold War Museum is located in the township of Carp about 20 minutes west of Ottawa, Canada.

The Diefenbunker museum is completely different from any other museum I’ve covered in this military museum directory. The Diefenbunker Cold War Museum is a subterranean reinforced concrete labyrinth of bunkers designed to house the most critical members of the Canadian government in the event of a nuclear attack from the Soviet Union. While very comprehensive in facilities and space, there was no provision for the personnel to bring their wives or children with them to survive the aftermath of the expected nuclear holocaust. The bunker complex was built during the term of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, and eventually was tagged with its current and very appropriate title. Our tour guide said that when Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau learned he could not bring his family with him in the event of a nuclear attack, he vowed never to set foot in the facility even if the worst were to happen.

Diefenbunker Fun Facts:

Blast Resistance: 5 megaton thermonuclear bomb blast at 1.1 miles from ground zero
Wall Thickness: 2.5 to 4 feet reinforced concrete
Surrounding Material: 5 feet of gravel to help with drainage
Support Columns: 4.5 ft diameter, 36 total on 22 ft centers
Amount of Concrete Used: 32,000 tons
Rebar Used: 5,000 tons, 2 inch in diameter
Interior Floor Space: 100,000 square feet
Number of Levels: 4
Facility total land area: 80 acres
Design Occupancy: 535 People for 30 days
Number of workers building the facility: 1,000
Construction Started: 1959
Time to Build: 2 years
Cost: $20,000,000

Diefenbunker Cold War Museum Photos

CBC Broadcasting Center
Civil Situation Center
Computer Room
Conference Room
Confinement and Hospital Overflow
Dining Room
Emergency Escape Hatch
Entrance
Exterior
Gold Vault
Hallway Views
Machine Room
Museum
Offices
Operating Theater
Prime Minister’s Quarters
Radio Room
Sleeping Quarters
The Lost Bedroom
Toilets

Diefenbunker Cold War Museum Website
Military & Aviation Museums Main Page

 

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