Outlines of a Scientific Spectacle: The McLaughlin Planetarium

By Olivia Mar

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The McLaughlin Planetarium. Painting: Olivia Mar/MUSSA.

Nestled between the University of Toronto and the Royal Ontario Museum, this mysterious dome shaped structure was once known as the McLaughlin Planetarium.

Opened in 1968, this building looked to the stars with cutting edge technology. A mechanical Zeiss planetarium projector displayed stars, planets, and cosmology. The elaborate projector included 150 individual projectors specific to the Sun, planets, stars, moons, comets, the Norther Lights, and pathways of spacecraft. Beyond the projector technology, the building also had 198 displays simulating astronomy. Founded by R. S. McLaughlin, president of General Motors of Canada, he donated $2 million for construction of the building.

For over 25 years, the planetarium invited guests to marvel at the wonders of space. Shows were 40 to 45 minute long and ranged between two features, one for families and young children and another for adults. Stories of space travel, constellations, myth, and astrology were common as well as special features during winter holidays. 

The building space dedicated four floors to science. The basement had a lecture hall and storage rooms while the ground floor with a gift shop, library, coat check room, staff lounge, and a bronze bust of Mr. McLaughlin. The second floor, called the Astrocentre, focusing on astronomic exhibits and the third floor, called the Theatre of the Stars, focusing on brilliant light shows. The theatre could seat 361 people a show.

The planetarium was increasingly popular throughout its life, attracting many visitors throughout the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. In 1995, the planetarium was forced to close due to provincial budget cuts.

While the building no longer exists as a planetarium, it does function as a storage facility for the University of Toronto and the ROM. While echoes of the former life remain, one can’t help but reminisce for buildings that promote STEM. Just last year, the Ontario Science Centre closed due to safety concerns over failing infrastructure. But for 55 years, the Ontario Science Centre invited families, children, teachers, and students through their doors.

Current structures which resemble the McLaughlin Planetarium in Canada include:

-        The W.J. McCallion Planetarium in Hamilton, Ontario

-        The Planetarium in Montreal, Quebec

-        The BCIT Planetarium in Burnaby, British Columbia

What are your favourite STEM related activities? Have you ever been to the McLaughlin Planetarium or the Ontario Science Centre? What are your hopes for STEM buildings in Toronto?

For more information about the McLaughlin Planetarium and its history, check out the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s page. Archival images of the McLaughlin Planetarium and its construction can be found at the Worldwide Planetariums Database here. It is also featured on the City of Toronto Archives Instagram page. 

References

City of Toronto Archives. [@toronto_archives]. (2023, November 2). #OTD in November 1968, the McLaughlin Planetarium opened its doors to the public. Located at 90 Queens Park just south [Image]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/toronto_archives/p/CzJPkcFuP8P/?img_index=1 

Media Room. (n.d.). Update from the Ontario Science Centre on Building Closure. https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/about-us/media-room/update-from-the-ontario-science-centre-on-building-closure 

Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. (n.d.). McLaughlin Planetarium. https://www.rasc.ca/mclaughlin-planetarium 

Worldwide Planetariums Database. (n.d.). McLaughlin Planetarium. https://planetariums-database.org/index.php?menu=sheet_planetarium&filtre=1421