The Ontario Science Centre

Opened in 1969, the Ontario Science Centre (OSC) is a science museum that was one of the early hands-on museums. The buildings were designed by Toronto architect Raymond Moriyama in a brutalist style, contrasting with the forest ravine setting.

Planning started in 1961, and in 1964 the 'Centennial Centre of Science and Technology' was announced, and as the name suggests, was meant to be part of Canada's 1967 Centennial celebrations. But construction took longer than planned, and it wasn't until September 27th, 1969 that the Science Centre was opened.

In 1996 the IMAX Dome was opened (the only one in Ontario) - called the OMNIMAX Theatre. The large fountain between the entrance and Don Mills was 'rejuvenated' in 2006.

 
 

List of all subjects. You can also see all the historic photos for a given neighbourhood. We also have a list of all the photos arranged by date.

And you can also go up a level to see the other photos we've put under the category of Other_Historic_Toronto_Buildings photos.

1965		Ontario Science Centre - Models and Sketches - aerial view into the Don Valley 59 years ago - Don Mills - Tuesday, April 27, 1965 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1965		Ontario Science Centre - sketch of the buildings on the side of the Don River ravine 59 years ago - Don Mills - Tuesday, April 27, 1965 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1967		Main entrance of the Ontario Science Centre at Don Mills Road under construction 57 years ago - Don Mills - Tuesday, January 24, 1967 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1968		South east corner of the Science Centre under construction - called Ontario Centennial Centre of Science and Technology at the time 56 years ago - Don Mills - Tuesday, January 30, 1968 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1969		Crowds at the opening of the Ontario Science Centre in 1969 - Its a hit 55 years ago - Don Mills - Saturday, September 27, 1969 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1969		Ontario Science Centre - Interior - long ramps by the windows 55 years ago - Don Mills - Monday, February 10, 1969 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1974		R. Buckminster Fuller - innovative architect-engineer-writer, in front of a model of his geodesic dome at the Ontario Science Centre 50 years ago - Don Mills - Friday, January 4, 1974 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1978		Ontario Science Centre - soviet spaceship - CCCP on the side 46 years ago - Don Mills - Sunday, February 5, 1978 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1986		The 19 carts in this Ontario Science Centre display represent the amount of food the average Canadian eats in a year. 38 years ago - Don Mills - Wednesday, February 12, 1986 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1992		Kids enjoy the simulated space station at the Ontario Science Centre 32 years ago - Don Mills - Tuesday, January 28, 1992 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1997		Van de Graaff generator for a static electricity hair raising demonstration at the Ontario Science Centre 27 years ago - Don Mills - Thursday, January 2, 1997 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
2007		Ontario Science Centre stamp - 52 cents - 750,000 issued May 9, 2007 - Canadian philatelic collection 17 years ago - Don Mills - Wednesday, May 9, 2007 Max temp: 0.0°C - Min temp: 0.0°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)