On July 8, 2020, the Diefenbunker successfully reopened its blast doors after a four-month closure. Since then, we welcomed 10,000 visitors and have received astounding accolades on our health and safety measures, protocols, and new visitor experience. Despite the challenging year, the Diefenbunker developed an eight-language audio guide, created new wayfinding and interpretative panels, and launched Artist-in-Residence exhibit by Greta Grip entitled Containment: Knit Your [p]art. We also continued crucial infrastructure upgrades to the building including a complete retrofit of our 200 level public washrooms.
“My 8 year old son was surprised that it was so clean! (Not exactly sure what he expected). And it was very comfortable – to the point where I didn’t give Covid a second thought… We are studying Modern History (20th Century) this year (have home-schooled all along)… I’ll have my boys (8 and 11) print out the pictures they took and create a narrative around it based on our visit. This was an interesting, painlessly educational, and memorable, family outing. I’m very glad we went!!” (9/8/2020) Visitor comment
Photo: The Honourable Dr. Merrilee Fullerton’s visit to the Diefenbunker Museum during COVID-19. Photo: © Diefenbunker Museum, 2020.