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.

Christmas Tea 

December 13, 14, 20 and 21 with seatings at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm 
Cost: $32.04 per person (taxes included) 
*The Christmas Tea reservation request form is now closed.

Celebrate the season with your friends and loved ones at Billings Estate National Historic Site. Share in the holiday spirit as you enjoy a seasonal three-tier tea service surrounded by our festive, 19^th century-inspired, décor. Your tea service will include a pot of tea (coffee and hot chocolate are also available), finger sandwiches, a scone with butter and jam, and a selection of mini desserts. All menu items are prepared or baked in-house with fresh ingredients.  

Reservations

The Christmas Tea reservation request form is now closed. Thank you for your patience as we process and respond to the reservation requests. A member of our team will contact everyone by email who submitted a request. Please allow a week for our team to review and process the high number of requests. We anticipate sending these emails by Wednesday, November 12 at 5 pm.

Notes

• We anticipate that interest in this program will exceed capacity. Once reservations are full, a waitlist will be maintained. 

• Reservations are filled in the order requests are received. Submitting the request form does not mean your booking is confirmed. A staff person will follow up with you by email to review your request and to provide further details regarding online advance payment. If advance payment is not received by the indicated date, the reservation will be offered to the next group on the waitlist. Your reservation is not confirmed until advance payment has been received.  

• The maximum reservation size is six.  

• Guests are seated at tables of four or six. To ensure pathways remain clear, tables cannot be pushed together, and additional chairs cannot be added.  

• Pairs or smaller groups will be seated at a shared table. We encourage guests to embrace the season and break the ice with new friends over a hot cup of tea. 

• We will inquire about any food allergies, dietary requirements (e.g., vegan or gluten-free, etc.) or accessibility needs when confirming your reservation. Before requesting a reservation, please review any individual needs with every member of your group. While we make all reasonable efforts to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions identified during the reservation process, we cannot guarantee a cross-contact free environment. Regrettably, we cannot meet last-minute requests for accommodation at the time of service.  

If you require assistance with the reservation process, please contact 613-580-2088 ext. 35258 or email BillingsEstateTea@ottawa.ca.  

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.

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. 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, with the convenience of a central location, Ottawa’s oldest wood-frame house is surrounded by approximately eight acres of landscaped greenspace and gardens.  

Use the rental search tool to find an event space that meets your needs.

• Grounds 
• Sally's Kitchen (multi-purpose room)
  Note: Sally’s Kitchen is not a functional kitchen for food preparation; the name reflects the space’s historical use.
• Farmhand's House (multi-purpose room)

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.