Billings Estate National Historic Site

The Billings family settled on the shores of the Rideau River in 1812 and took an active role in shaping the community as it evolved over time and until the 1970s when they left the estate. They helped build farms and churches, ran a dairy operation, and contributed to the development of the Byward Market by providing produce for sale and building the "Farmers' Bridge".

This National Historic Site on 8 acres of green space is also home to one of Ottawa's oldest community cemeteries where well-known Ottawa pioneers, such as the Evans, Brouse and Firth families, are laid to rest.

Victorian Hair Art 

Sunday, October 5 from 2 pm to 4:30 pm
Ages 16 and older 
Cost: $75 + tax (per person). Advance registration is required.

Explore 19^th century mourning traditions with Ottawa artist Cindy Stelmackowich and learn how Victorians transformed hair into pieces of art to commemorate their loved ones. During the hands-on workshop, you will use hair and wire to create a small sculptural piece inspired by historical mourning artefacts. Participants are welcome to bring hair they wish to work with, but synthetic hair and all required supplies will be provided.

Cindy Stelmackowich’s work explores the materiality of the body. In 2011, Cindy was artist-in-residence at the Bytown Museum where she researched the Museum's mourning and Victorian hair artefacts. The solo exhibition that followed featured hair sculptures and installations. Cindy’s artworks are in the collection of the Canada Council Art Bank, the Ottawa Art Gallery, and York University. 

Notes: 

• This workshop is presented in English. 
• Advance registration is required. Workshops with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If an alternative cannot be offered, a refund will be issued. 
• Please note that the final design may vary from the finished project pictured in marketing materials. 
• Visit the Ottawa Hand in Hand web page for information on available financial supports to facilitate participation in recreation and culture programs.  
• The workshop will be held on the ground floor of the museum. However, the session will begin with a brief introduction to the exhibition on the second floor which is only accessible by stairs. A visual guide is available to visitors who cannot access the second floor. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum by phone at 613-580-2088 or by email at museums@ottawa.ca. Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum web page.

Junior Explorers Picnic

Sunday, September 21 from 10 am to 12:30 pm or 1:30 pm to 4 pm
Cost: $19.85 (plus tax) per group. Maximum of 6 people per group; children under 2 years of age are not counted toward the maximum group size.
Recommend for families with children ages 10 and under.
Advance registration is required.

Explore Billings Estate National Historic Site just like a 19^th century naturalist! Enjoy kid-friendly activities and games that highlight the natural world then enjoy a fun picnic experience with your family on the beautiful grounds of Ottawa’s oldest wood-framed house. Each child will receive a nature journal to help track their discoveries! Kids will learn how to identify animal tracks, get artistic with a nature-inspired craft, and more. Special guests include the Ottawa Field Naturalists.

Pack your own picnic or order an optional boxed lunch prepared by our tearoom! Please indicate the number of boxed lunches you would like to order at the time of registration. Boxed lunches are $15 each (plus tax) and must be ordered in advance. Each boxed lunch serves one. Following registration, museum staff will contact participants to confirm boxed lunch orders and arrange pre-payment for the food.

Notes

• Each registration ($19.85 plus tax) includes admission for up to six people; children under two years of age are not counted toward the maximum group size.
• All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• The picnic and activities take place outdoors on the museum grounds. Check the forecast and dress for weather conditions. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended. In the case of inclement weather, a decision may be made to cancel the event, and all registered participants will be contacted with further information regarding their options.
• The museum grounds include gravel, grassy and uneven terrain. If you have questions regarding accessibility, contact the museum at 613-580-2088 or museums@ottawa.ca. Additional information regarding accessibility is available on the museum webpage.
• Please ensure your contact information is up to date before registering for this event. Following registration, a member of staff will contact participants who have ordered a boxed lunch to confirm any allergy or dietary restrictions. We will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate allergy or dietary restrictions but are unable to ensure an environment free from all risk of cross-contamination and cannot guarantee to meet last minute request at the time of service. If your If your allergy or dietary needs change, please contact museums@ottawa.ca in advance of the picnic.

Tea on the Lawn

Tea on the Lawn has ended for the 2025 season. Thank you for a fantastic summer! 

Picnic on the museum grounds

Visitors are welcome to bring their own snacks and picnic on the museum grounds. To preserve the artefacts in the museum, no eating or drinking is permitted in the exhibition spaces. Outside food is also not permitted in the tent where Tea on the Lawn is served.

Beyond Billings: Stories and Belonging(s)

April 23 to October 10, 2025
Regular admission fees apply

“Beyond Billings” showcases a selection of belongings from the Billings Estate National Historic Site collection chosen by 12 individual curators from the Carleton University Curatorial Studies program (CURA 5001). “Beyond Billings” explores how museum objects are perceived from different viewpoints. Each object, highlighted as a vignette, sparks new questions about the Billings family and how they lived, while also inviting you to consider the life of the item beyond its arrival to the Billings family.

The exhibition is located on the second floor of the house which is accessible by stairs only. A visual guide is available to visitors who cannot access the second floor. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum at 613-580-2088 or by email at museums@ottawa.ca. 

Artefact collections

A large portion of the Billings Estate National Historic Site artefact collection received Canadian Cultural Property designation in 1996 because of its significance as material evidence of the historic development of the nation's capital. The eclectic collection contains more than 27,000 artefacts - many of which are on exhibition at the museum - that belonged to the family and their neighbours, including furniture, household goods, personal possessions, an extensive library, tools, entomological specimens, agricultural equipment and a 1959 Cadillac. 

Exhibitions

The museum's exhibitions are designed to tell the stories of the estate and the community's evolution over more than 150 years, beginning in 1812 when the Billings family settled on the Rideau River.

Permanent exhibition - The Billings Family Story

Always at the museum is our permanent exhibition that explores the story of pioneers carving out from the wilderness a new life, the progress of relationships and families through good times and bad, the history of industry and agriculture in the area, and the community that grew over the years.

Interactive features like a touch-screen family tree, audio recordings of poetry readings and the Oath of Allegiance, as well as radio programs from days long gone by round out the experience, with telescopes showing a peek into the past. We've made sure there's a scavenger hunt for our young visitors, too. 

Billings Family virtual exhibition 

The Billings Family virtual exhibit, presented by the City of Ottawa Archives, gives a view of the Billings Family and their interactions with the growing city center of Ottawa and Billings Bridge Village. The histories are written from the perspective of one family’s experiences and activities, within the context of Ottawa’s development as a city.

Reminiscent of a country estate, the nearly 200-year-old manor house and surrounding eight acres of landscaped greenspace and gardens provide a picturesque and historical backdrop for your special event.

For more information, please contact our Customer Service Booking Clerk. Call 613-580-2088 or email museums@ottawa.ca.

The City of Ottawa Museums are committed to offering residents meaningful and rewarding volunteer experiences.

Heritage volunteers play an invaluable role in preserving our unique heritage and in providing museum visitors of all ages with opportunities to appreciate our shared story.

Thank you to all our volunteer team members for their continued support.

The museums are not currently accepting new volunteers. If you have any questions about the volunteer program or would like to be notified when volunteering resumes, please contact museums@ottawa.ca.

Work with us to shape your experience. Contact the museum before your visit to discuss your needs. Information about accessibility at the facility, programs, and services is available upon request.

The accessibility features of this facility are detailed below. While the City of Ottawa is constantly working to improve access, please note that not all parts of every facility are necessarily 'accessible for all' as facilities were built to meet accessibility standards of their time.

• Parking
  • 2 designated parking spaces 
  • Accessible path of travel from the parking lot to entrance
  • 100 metres from parking space to the door
• Passenger Loading Zone
  • Access aisle
• Entrance/Exit
  • 2 accessible entrances (Main House and Tombstone Garage)
  • Ramp
  • Wide door for wheelchair passage
  • Automatic door opener
  • Direct access to the main floor, lobby
• Interior
  • Accessible seating available
  • Wheelchair available for patrons
• Reception desks
  • Accessible counters
  • Floor area for maneuvering a wheelchair
• Signage
  • Directional signs
  • High contrast signage
  • Large lettering
• Washrooms
  • Accessible washrooms on first floor
  • Large stalls to allow transfers
• Telephone
  • Volume control
  • Accessible path
• Museums, galleries, and archives
  • 2 exhibition spaces are accessible
  • Good visibility for patrons in wheelchairs
  • Interpretive labels or panels in large font

Learn more about Inclusive Recreation and accessible services.