Why is it called the Diefenbunker?
It is now the location of Canada’s Cold War Museum. The “Diefenbunker” is an underground bunker designed to withstand the force of a nuclear blast. It was built in Carp, Ontario, during a peak in Cold War tensions between 1959 and 1961, and named after then-Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.
Why was Diefenbunker created?
The Diefenbunker was commissioned by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in 1959, as part of his government’s reaction to escalating tensions in the Cold War. The purpose of the bunker was to house key members of the government and military in the event of a nuclear attack on Canada.
What year was the Diefenbunker built?
The Diefenbunker is a massive four-storey underground bunker, built between 1959 and 1961. During the Cold War, top officials were to take shelter here in the event of a nuclear war. It was active as Canadian Forces Station Carp until 1994.
How much did the Diefenbunker cost?
Construction of the Diefenbunker was completed on-time and on-budget. It took nearly 14 months to build the entire 100,000 square foot underground bunker. Constructing the Diefenbunker is reputed to have cost over $22 million, which is the equivalent of approximately $170.9 million in todays dollar.
How many people can fit in the Diefenbunker?
In 2010, the Diefenbunker underwent a massive capital campaign to retrofit the building’s fire systems. Because of the unique design of the building, fire code had limited it to a capacity of 60 people. After the building retrofit, the Diefenbunker was able to increase its capacity to 460 people.
Who owns the Diefenbunker?
Diefenbunker
| Canadian Forces Station Carp | |
|---|---|
| Governing body | Diefenbunker, Canada’s Cold War Museum |
| Website | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum |
| National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Official name | Diefenbunker / Central Emergency Government Headquarters National Historic Site of Canada |
Was the Diefenbunker used?
The Diefenbunker functioned as a communications hub that could transform into a central emergency government headquarters that hoped to sustain essential operations after a nuclear attack. But its cover was blown well before it was up and running.
Why was the Diefenbunker closed in 1994?
After 32 years functioning as CFS Carp, the Diefenbunker closed its doors on June 21st, 1994. With the Cold War over and no foreseeable threat of nuclear attack, they decommissioned the base and walked away. For the next year, the Bunker was stripped of everything that wasn’t nailed down or attached to the building.
What is the Diefenbunker in Canada?
The Diefenbunker, formerly known by its military designation, Canadian Forces Station Carp (CFS Carp), is a large underground four-storey reinforced concrete bunker and nuclear fallout shelter located in the rural area of Carp, Ontario approximately 30 km (19 mi) west of downtown Ottawa. Between 1957 and 1961, during the Cold War the Government
What happened at the Diefenbunker?
The Diefenbunker – Cold War Secret Defence Facility. Military History, Science and Engineering/October 30, 2014byBruce Ricketts/ 3 Comments In an abandoned gravel pit on the outskirts of the small Ontario farming community of Carp (just west of Ottawa) strange things were happening.
How is the Diefenbunker funded?
The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War museum is a not-for-profit, charitable museum. It is funded privately; the main source of revenue for the museum comes from admission sales (approximately 75% of total revenue). The Diefenbunker actively applies for private, municipal, provincial and federal grants.
How many people visit the Diefenbunker each year?
The museum continued to grow into the 2000s. Close to 15,000 visitors passed through the Diefenbunker in 2000. Additional part-time staff was hired throughout the year to keep up with museum maintenance and upkeep. As of 2008, the Diefenbunker averages approximately 25,000 visitors each year.