Bytown Museum — Attraction in Ottawa

After “considerable talk among the ladies of the city” about the preservation of Ottawa’s rich cultural heritage, the Women’s Canadian Historical Society of Ottawa was formed in June of 1898. With the motto of “Love Thou Thy Land” their goal was “to encourage the collection and preservation of Canadian historical records and relics and to foster Canadian loyalty and patriotism.” The WCHSO laid the foundation for what would later become the BYTOWN MUSEUM.

The early years of the WCHSO consisted of the writing historical papers, regular meetings and “Loan Exhibitions” – displays that brought together artefacts from the private collections of the members and local history enthusiasts. By 1917 the burgeoning WCHSO was in dire need of a permanent home. After years of wandering, the former City Registry Office, located at 70 Nicholas Street, was acquired and renamed the Bytown Historical Museum. The Museum was opened on October 25, 1917 by Mayor Harold Fisher as “a museum for relics and souvenirs;” celebrating the occasion with its most comprehensive loans exhibition yet. Many of the items loaned would become some of the first permanent accessions into the collection, allowing the WCHSO to finally begin to fulfill its original mandate to collect and preserve.

After years of collecting, with a boom in the 1930s, the WCHSO was once again on the lookout for a larger more suitable home. In 1948 the Commissariat at the Ottawa Locks was proposed. Significant funds were raised to make urgent repairs to the dilapidated building and the WCHSO took possession of the building in September of 1951. Despite being described as “encrusted with century-old dust and grime” with deteriorated plaster, a leaking roof and an inadequate electrical system, the Building Committee report described the Commissariat as the “perfect setting for the BYTOWN MUSEUM.” After much needed renovations, the BYTOWN MUSEUM opened its doors in the Commissariat (our present location) on June 27, 1952. The Society opened its membership to men and changed its name to the Historical Society of Ottawa in 1956.

unescoThe 1980s was an era of exciting growth for the HSO; first with the inaugural publication of the Bytown Pamphlet Series and later, under the leadership of their new landlord, Parks Canada, the complete renovation and restoration of the Commissariat between 1982 and 1984. When the Museum reopened in 1985 BYTOWN MUSEUM Treasures highlighted key artefacts and recent acquisitions including some of our most...

A Deep Dive into Ottawa's Past at the Bytown Museum The Bytown Museum in Ottawa is truly a must-visit. What makes it particularly engaging is the audio guide, available from reception. This 45-minute audio tour expertly leads you through each exhibit, transporting you back in time to the very beginnings of Ottawa. It vividly recounts the arrival of the settlers on Algonquin and Indigenous lands, detailing how the fur trade began and the subsequent influx of newcomers. The museum also beautifully illustrates the social and economic conditions of that era, guiding you through significant events like the Great Fire and the establishment of the ByWard Market. Furthermore, it highlights the construction of the Rideau Canal and its crucial military importance. Housed in one of Ottawa's oldest standing stone structures, the museum does an excellent job of tracing the city's history. This three-floor museum is a delightful experience. If you're keen to learn about Ottawa's rich history, it's an essential stop. The staff are incredibly helpful and kind, making the visit even more pleasant. I would always recommend putting the Bytown Museum on your list of things to...

First of all, the staff here are lovely and helpful. As soon as we got there they informed us of a sensory backpack program for my Autistic son that I did not even know existed. It consisted of headphones and other sensory items if needed. My son had come prepared with his own fidget toy but it was so nice to know this program is in place in case we ever needed it.

The museum itself is a gorgeous building beautifully preserved to transport you back in time almost 200 years ago. The information and artifacts on display offer even life time residents of Ottawa a new appreciation for how our city came to be.

The location is right on the canal by the locks and offers a quaint cafe with stunning views of the locks and canal. We had a great time watching the boats going along each of the locks and all the time and work that goes into it.

We will most definitely be returning for another visit this summer to support this lovely museum, and to also take in the gorgeous views of the canal and river it...