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.

Alone in the Dark – The Haunted Walk

February 7, 13, 14, 21 and 28 

Start times vary (program duration – 2 hours)

Ages 16 and up

Cost: $64.99 + tax (per person)

Tickets: Available online from The Haunted Walk. Bookings must be made in advance.

What happens when the lights go out at Billings Estate National Historic Site? Throughout the evening, you’ll participate in a series of suspenseful paranormal experiments as you move through dimly lit rooms and peer into shadowy corners, where the past may not be entirely at rest. This program is presented in English.

Please note that this program is delivered by The Haunted Walk. For more information, please visit The Haunted Walk online. Contact: info@hauntedwalk.com

*Schedule subject to change.

Beyond the Brim: Tales Told Through the Hats We Wore

January 22 to March 22, 2026 - Trinity Art Gallery, Shenkman Arts Centre

April 15 to October 11, 2026 - Billings Estate National Historic Site

Beyond the Brim: Tales Told Through the Hats We Wore showcases headwear alongside stories about the individuals who wore them, sharing their impact on Ottawa’s history and diverse cultural landscape. The exhibition includes hats, helmets and head coverings from the City of Ottawa Museums and Historic Sites collection, local heritage groups, cultural organizations and residents.  

The City of Ottawa Museums and Historic Sites serve as stewards of Ottawa’s material culture through the care, management and exhibition of the City’s artefact collections. The City of Ottawa Museums and Historic Sites operate Billings Estate National Historic Site, Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, Fairfields Heritage House, Nepean Museum and Pinhey’s Point Historic Site. 

The City of Ottawa's Museums and Historic Sites acknowledges the contributions of many who made this exhibition possible:

• Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation
• Sergeant Jasdeep Singh Bajwa
• Britt Braaten
• Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society
• Bytown Museum
• Capital Heritage Connexion
• William Commanda family
• Bruce Deachman
• Elder Albert Dumont
• Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum
• Gloucester Township Historical Society
• Goulbourn Township Historical Society
• The Khayrhaye Somali Cultural Centre
• Mary Ellen Kot
• Ed Kwan
• Dr. Monia Mazigh
• Muséoparc Vanier
• Odyssey Theatre
• Osgoode Township Museum
• Ottawa Archives
• Ottawa Jewish Archives
• Renfrew & District Historical & Museum Society Inc.
• The Sears Museum
• Ben Weiss
• Dr. Joyce Wright

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.