Bytown Museum | Musée Bytown

Bytown Museum | Musée Bytown Open Wednesdays-Sundays during the summer☀️ Join us for family events, new exhibits and daily programs and guided tours.
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Located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, the Bytown Museum explores the stories of an evolving city and its residents from its early days as Bytown to present day Ottawa. Housed in Ottawa's oldest stone building, the Museum is located at the Rideau Canal locks between Parliament Hill and the Château Laurier—one of the most picturesque sites in the city. A six-language audio-tour, available in Engl

ish, French, German, Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese, is included with the admission ticket. Our Summer hours are: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm; closed Monday and Tuesday.

On this day in 1832, the full length of the Rideau Canal was complete and open for traffic. 🚢⛵🛶 That day, Lt.-Col. By, L...
05/29/2026

On this day in 1832, the full length of the Rideau Canal was complete and open for traffic. 🚢⛵🛶

That day, Lt.-Col. By, Lord Dalhousie, and his gala party took an inaugural tour of the completed waterway from Kingston to Bytown aboard the steamer “the Rideau.”

The trade routes and traditional hunting grounds of Indigenous Peoples were disrupted by this massive project. The City of Ottawa, the Ottawa Locks, and the Bytown Museum (Commissariat) are built on the traditional unceded territory of the Anishinàbe Algonquin.

From its beginnings as a colonial military defense project, to a supply route for the city’s lumber industry, and as a tourism and leisure destination, the Rideau Canal has been at the centre of Ottawa’s story.

Please share below your favourite memory of the Rideau Canal. 💙

[Bytown Museum, P1408, 1994.008.01, and 2024.002.01.12]

On this day in 1915, the Samuel de Champlain Statue was unveiled at Kìwekì Point (then Nepean Point). 🛶🧡 That same day, ...
05/27/2026

On this day in 1915, the Samuel de Champlain Statue was unveiled at Kìwekì Point (then Nepean Point). 🛶🧡

That same day, a bronze tablet commemorating Lt.-Col. By was also unveiled at Major’s Hill Park, where his house once stood. The ceremony took place at 4:30pm and was held by the Royal Society and the Historic Landmarks Association in association with the Duke of Connaught. The ceremony included several remarks from distinguished figures such as the Mayor and Premier and welcomed crowds of people (pictured here).

The Champlain statue was made by sculptor Hamilton MacCarthy. It stands at Kìwekì Point to mark where he took his last observation – and can still be seen there today.

At the time Champlain came to this area, the Algonquin people occupied the Ottawa River and its surrounding waterways. In 1613, Champlain recorded in his diary that he met around 15 canoes of Algonquin people in the Ottawa River, including Chief Tessouat of the Kitchisipirini Band of Algonquins.

Tessouat and his band had a fortified village near Pembrooke, Ontario on Morrison’s Island where they occupied and used the surrounding land. This is where Champlain met Tessouat. He discovered that Tessouat controlled the flow of trade and traffic on the Ottawa River and charged a toll for passage through it. Champlain was required to pay this toll but refused and was denied passage to proceed up the river.

Tessouat’s island had a bounty of fish, many houses, a cemetery, and plenty of growing crops such as to***co, corn, and pumpkins. He held a formal council with Champlain where they had a feast and conversed.

Chief Tessouat passed in 1636 and is also commemorated in a statue across the river from Champlain in front of the Canadian Museum of History.

[Bytown Museum,1997.999.117]

On this day in 1868, troops deliver a “feu de joie” for Queen Victoria’s birthday review on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. ...
05/25/2026

On this day in 1868, troops deliver a “feu de joie” for Queen Victoria’s birthday review on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. 🎉

A feu de joie is a formal celebratory gunfire. It is reserved for special occasions of national importance, and in the nineteenth century it was used to celebrate military victories or birthdays.

The day was observed by everyone in the city as a holiday. By 11:30 in the morning many of the corps had taken their positions on Barrack Hill. The troops formed into a line in front of the centre building and precisely at 12 o'clock the first gun of the royal salute was fired from Major’s Hill and went until seven had been fired.

Then, the infantry on Barrack Hill chimed in until the 21 guns and three vollies of the feu de joie had been fired. The line then formed into a column, and three cheers were given for the queen to which the thousands of spectators on the ground joined in for.

The next event for the public to enjoy took place at 2 o’clock in front of City Hall. It was the inspection of the fire brigade and the police force, which was followed by an address from Mayor Henry J. Friel. This ended with a procession of the fire men from City Hall through the downtown streets.

Next up was a lacrosse match planned at Major’s Hill, however the crowd on the hill was so big that the players couldn’t get enough space to play a good game. They pivoted to a game on Rideau Street. The game was between the Union Club of Ottawa and the Grenville Club of Prescott. Ottawa won two games, and Prescott won one.

During the evening, a torch light procession took place by the Fire Brigade starting at 7:30 on Sussex and ending at City Hall. The Citizen reported that the procession was most picturesque and saw densely crowded streets of spectators. Then to end it all, there was a grand display of fireworks.

After the display, many went back to their homes or continued the festivities at the many private celebrations held that evening. Most notable of these was the Chaudière Fire Company’s Ball where dancing, music, and feasting took place until the early hours of the morning.

[Bytown Museum, 2014.004.01.17]

Are you in town for Ottawa Race Weekend? Take a moment to explore a piece of the city's history! We're open and ready to...
05/22/2026

Are you in town for Ottawa Race Weekend? Take a moment to explore a piece of the city's history! We're open and ready to welcome you - just steps away from the canal you'll be running alongside.

This weekend, take a well-deserved pause and come cool down with a refreshing glass of our homemade lemonade🍋

On May 23, 1843, the cornerstone for the Union Suspension Bridge (pictured here) was laid down by Thomas McKay. 🌉The Uni...
05/22/2026

On May 23, 1843, the cornerstone for the Union Suspension Bridge (pictured here) was laid down by Thomas McKay. 🌉

The Union Bridge was a wire cable suspension bridge that joined Hull and Ottawa at Akikodjiwan (Chaudière Falls). Prior to this, there was an initial wooden version of the bridge that was completed in 1828. This first iteration was 212 feet long, 30 feet wide, and about 40 feet above the water.

It was quite expensive to build, so Lt.-Col. By instituted a toll to cross it. It cost one penny per person, one penny for every horse, ox, cow, sheep, and pig, and two pennies for every wagon and sleigh.

The infamous Irish worker gang, the Shiners, took control of the bridge in the 1830s and demanded payment for all those who crossed it. It was said that many bodies were found below the bridge at the hands of the shiners.

The wooden bridge collapsed in the Ottawa River and was sept away in 1836. In 1843, the wire suspension bridge was constructed. This bridge was 242 feet and was the first of its kind in Canada to use iron wire suspension cables

This bridge also charged tolls. It collected about $1650 in today’s prices in the summer of 1851, but the tolls were abolished in 1885. By 1889, the bridge was deteriorating and not meeting good maintenance standards, so it was removed and replaced.

The replacement bridge was damaged by the fire of 1900 and for about 100 years it was deemed to be very unsafe. The bridge was closed and reopened in 2009. Today it is Chaudière Crossing, a bridge that serves thousands of commuters on their trips to Ottawa and Gatineau.

[Bytown Museum, P558]

98 years ago this month, today’s Byward Market Building opened to the public. 🍏🖌The Byward Market was first established ...
05/21/2026

98 years ago this month, today’s Byward Market Building opened to the public. 🍏🖌

The Byward Market was first established in 1827 by Lt.-Col. John By. He cleared the area in Lowertown and put up a market building to create a non-military commercial space for the workers building the Rideau Canal.

In 1848, a second iteration of the Lowertown market building opened between Clarence and York Streets but was later destroyed by fire, and a temporary one was built in 1864. The orientation of the building changed with this one; it was now along William Street – the same position the market building is in today!

Business was booming in the Byward Market area in the late nineteenth century, so a bigger market building was needed. The Byward Market Hall was designed by architect James Mather and built in 1876. However, this building was also destroyed by a major fire in 1926.

Another building was rebuilt in its place and opened May 1, 1928, and this is the Byward Market building we know today! The building had 24 stalls, six stores, a basket market, a lunchroom, a check room, and space for 125 farmers’ vehicles.

The building underwent much renovation and rehabilitation in the 1940s, 70s, and 90s to add more market space, update the building structure, and improve ventilation among other things. The Byward Market Heritage Conservation District was created by Ottawa City Council in 1991. The district includes 50 acres of land and 160 buildings that are recognized as important to the city’s history and are protected and preserved as a result.

With the Byward Market’s 200th anniversary coming up next year, in December 2025 the City’s Built Heritage Committee approved asking the City to submit the nomination of the Byward Market as a National Historic Site of Canada through the National Program of Historical Commemoration supported by Parks Canada.

This watercolour painting by Goodridge Roberts in the Bytown Museum’s collection depicts the Byward Market in an abstract manner.

[Bytown Museum, P2797]

05/20/2026

The Bytown Museum is open for the summer and we have a brand new temporary exhibition; What’s in a Frame? 200+ Years of Community Portraits.

Reflecting on 200+ years, this new exhibition looks to portraits of past and present Ottawa residents. From the first individuals who lived, worked, and made their community here to those whose stories have shaped the Ottawa we know today.

Come check out the new exhibition, grab some homemade lemonade, and enjoy the views from Ottawa’s prettiest location!✨

05/20/2026

The Bytown Museum is open for the summer and we have a brand new temporary exhibition; What's in a Frame? 200+ Years of Community Portraits.

Reflecting on 200+ years, this new exhibition looks to portraits of past and present Ottawa residents. From the first individuals who lived, worked, and made their community here to those whose stories have shaped the Ottawa we know today.

Come check out the new exhibition, grab some homemade lemonade, and enjoy the views from Ottawa's prettiest location!✨

In May 1894, the Ottawa Decorative Arts Society was formed to “spread the knowledge of the true principle of decorative ...
05/19/2026

In May 1894, the Ottawa Decorative Arts Society was formed to “spread the knowledge of the true principle of decorative art.” The Society sought to accomplish this through offering free lectures and classes, opening a centre of decorative art, and to employ art decorators. 🎨

Pictured here is Lady Aberdeen, wife of Governor General of Canada Lord Aberdeen who served from 1893 to 1898. Lady Aberdeen was asked to be the patroness of the Ottawa Decorative Arts Society once it was formed.

As patroness of the Society, she attended their events including a reception in May 1895 where it was reported how she fully understood what the society was endeavoring to do. Lady Aberdeen spoke in high terms of the society’s work at this event where she gave a speech that included this statement: “Many look upon art decorative work merely as something to occupy the leisure hour, but the society regarded it in a fair higher light, being an aim at cultivating the perception of the beautiful in nature, and giving instruction of how best to interpret and apply it to the beautifying and refining of the homes of our land.”

Her Excellency was pleased to be associated with the work of the Society and saw it as an honour to be asked to help with it. Following her speech, Lady Aberdeen enjoyed refreshments and conversation with the members and inspected their work.

It is likely the Society was formed after the success many local needleworkers had at the previous year’s World's Fair in Chicago. At least 30 awards were won by Ottawa residents for embroidery at the Fair.

The Society dissolved in the early 1900s. Following the departure of Miss Barrett, a needlework instructor who spearheaded the formation of the society, it was likely the Society struggled to find their footing following her departure in 1897.

[Bytown Museum, P549]

05/15/2026

The Bytown Museum is officially open for the summer! The building will be open Wednesdays - Sundays, from 11:00 am - 5:30 pm. Keep an eye on our socials and website for more information about upcoming events and special programming ✨

What are you most excited for this summer?☀️

This photograph was taken at a May Court ceremony at the Ottawa Ladies College (then Presbyterian Ladies College) by Wil...
05/13/2026

This photograph was taken at a May Court ceremony at the Ottawa Ladies College (then Presbyterian Ladies College) by William Topley. The title of May Queen was given to Daisy Racey that year, seen in the centre of the photograph with a flower sash, and flower crown. 💐

Based on reports of May Court coronation ceremonies in other years at the College, the annual event was attended in full by pupils, former pupils, and a few special guests. A procession would enter the room as students sung a hymn.

The student who was elected as May Queen entered the room dressed in white. She would sit on the centre chair and be crowned and be presented with bouquets of flowers. The ceremony would last about an hour and would end with addresses and group songs.

[Bytown Museum, P1944]

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1 Canal Lane
Ottawa, ON
K1P5P6

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6132344570

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