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.

Picnic at the Estate 

Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026 
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm (with entry at 1 pm or 1:30 pm, as selected at the time of registration)
Ages: 18 and up 
Cost: $46.63 per person (taxes included). Advance registration is required. The registration deadline is August 13 at 5 pm.

You’re invited to experience the charms of a Victorian picnic at Billings Estate National Historic Site. Explore the beautiful grounds and gardens at Ottawa’s oldest wood-frame house. Enjoy the ambiance of a live string duet. Learn the secret language of fans and pose for a photo memento inspired by a carte-de-visite. Guests are encouraged to dress to impress in their 19th century or garden party best! Challenge friends old and new to a traditional parlour or lawn game. Try your hand at plein air art or divine what fate has in store for you with a tasseomancy demonstration. Discover a piece of local history with a short stroll to the Settler’s Cemetery or step inside the museum to see the special exhibition, “Beyond the Brim: Tales Told Through the Hats We Wore.”  

Picnic menu

Registration includes a boxed lunch and beverages based on Victorian-era picnic menus. Picnic blankets, tables, and chairs are provided. Each lunch is prepared in-house at Billings Estate National Historic Site and includes pickles, cheese, jam, compound butter and charcuterie meats, alongside seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh-baked bread and a sweet treat. Complement your picnic with a refreshing lemonade or try an old-fashioned raspberry vinegar (alternative beverage options, including coffee and tea, are also offered).  

Substitutions (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free) must be requested in advance. We are unable to meet last-minute requests at the time of service. While we make reasonable efforts to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions identified during the registration process, we cannot guarantee a cross-contact free environment. 

Notes

• The primary language of delivery for this program is English. Any printed materials will be provided in both English and French.  
• The picnic and activities take place outside on the museum grounds. Check the forecast and dress for weather conditions, including shoes that are appropriate for grassy terrain. In the event of rain, activities will be moved under the shelter of a marquee tent or inside the museum buildings. If the program cannot be delivered due to unsafe weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, all registered participants will be contacted directly to notify them of the cancellation and with information regarding their options.  
• Substitutions (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free) must be requested in advance. We are unable to meet last-minute requests at the time of service. While we make reasonable efforts to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions identified during the registration process, we cannot guarantee a cross-contact free environment. If you have questions about the menu, please contact museums@ottawa.ca.  
• The museum grounds include gravel, grassy, uneven terrain. If you have questions regarding accessibility, contact the museum at 613-580-2088 or email museums@ottawa.ca. Additional information regarding accessibility is available on the museum webpage.

Time Travellers

Dates: July 8, 15, 22, 29 and August 6, 13, 20 and 27
Time: 10:30 am to noon
Ages: 5 to 7
Cost: $7.78 per session
Advance registration is required. Registration opens May 14 at 9 pm. 

Step back in time and discover all the museum has to offer! Kids will explore the museum inside and out, while tackling projects inspired by the day-to-day life of the Billings family. Each week they’ll explore different heritage chores, skills, and pastimes through fun, hands-on activities.  

Themes

The four weekly themes and their content repeat each month. 

Botany (July 8 and August 6) 
One of the Billings family members is feeling unwell. Use Lamira’s remedies and ingredients from her garden to help get them back on their feet.  

Bugs (July 15 and August 13)  

Follow in Braddish Billings II’s footsteps and learn how to identify the insects living around the museum grounds. Create a field journal, learn how pollination works and make a take-home craft. 

Games and Toys (July 22 and August 20) 

Discover how children in the Billings family had fun! Try historic games and toys to see how play has changed and stayed the same through the years. 

Butter (July 29 and August 27) 

Sabra and Sally Billings are away. Who will run the dairy without them? Step into their roles—find the lost cows, create a butter mould and make fresh butter. 

Notes

• The primary language of delivery for this program is English.
• This is a drop-off program. Parental participation is not required. 
• Some activities take place outdoors. Please dress your child for weather conditions, including clothing and shoes you are comfortable with getting dirty. A hat, sunscreen, and bug spray are recommended. 
• Please pack a small snack and a bottle of water for your child. 
• This program is delivered rain or shine. In the event of poor weather conditions, activities may be adapted or moved inside. In the rare event that the session must be cancelled due to inclement weather, all registered participants will be contacted directly with further information.
• Some activities take place on the museum grounds which include grassy and uneven terrain. Accessible washrooms are available on the ground floor of the museum. If you have questions or concerns about accessibility, please contact 613-580-2088 or museums@ottawa.ca. 
• Sessions with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If the session cannot be rescheduled, a refund will be issued.  

Can You Dig It?

Dates: July 9, 16, 23, 30 and August 5, 12, 19 and 26
Time: 10:30 am to noon
Ages: 8 to 11
Cost: $7.78 per session
Advance registration is required. Registration opens May 14 at 9 pm. 

Learn to dig for artefacts, identify mysterious objects and use techniques that scientists use every day. Inspired by Canada’s first paleontologist, Elkanah Billings, kids will get their hands dirty like Indiana Jones in a simulated excavation site at one of Ottawa's historic homes. 

Themes

The four weekly themes and their content repeat each month.

Archeology (July 9 and August 5) 
Dig into archeology! Learn about the Billings family and identify the artefacts you find.   

Geology (July 16 and August 12) 
Unearth the secrets of our natural history and identify geological samples. 

Paleontology (July 23 and August 19) 
Discover the world of plant and animal fossils. 

Beyond the Pit (July 30 and August 26) 
Tell the story of your excavation! Piece together your discoveries and curate a museum exhibition. 

Notes

• The primary language of delivery for this program is English.
• This is a drop-off program. Parental participation is not required. 
• Some activities take place outdoors. Please dress your child for weather conditions, including clothing and shoes you are comfortable with getting dirty. A hat, sunscreen, and bug spray are recommended. 
• Please pack a small snack and a bottle of water for your child. 
• This program is delivered rain or shine. In the event of poor weather conditions, activities may be adapted or moved inside. In the rare event that the session must be cancelled due to inclement weather, all registered participants will be contacted directly with further information.
• Some activities take place on the museum grounds which include grassy and uneven terrain. Accessible washrooms are available on the ground floor of the museum. If you have questions or concerns about accessibility, please contact 613-580-2088 or museums@ottawa.ca. 
• Sessions with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If the session cannot be rescheduled, a refund will be issued.  

Alone in the Dark – The Haunted Walk

June 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 and July 3, 10, 11, 17, 18, 25, 31
Start times vary (program duration – 2 hours)
Ages 16 and up
Cost: $67.99 + 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.

Tea on the Lawn

Complement your visit to Billings Estate National Historic Site with Tea on the Lawn. Enjoy tea and freshly baked goods alongside our beautiful gardens. Heritage staff are happy to highlight the unique history of the estate, making Tea on the Lawn a memorable addition to your museum experience.  

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from May 15, 2026 to August 30, 2026 with seatings at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. Reservations are required. 

*Please note that reservations are now full for the 2026 Tea on the Lawn season. 

2026 menu and prices

Three-tier service for one: $21.95 (taxes included) 
Pot of tea; finger sandwiches; scone with butter and jam; assorted desserts. Admission to the museum for one visitor is included.  

• Substitute gluten-free options: $3.49 (taxes included)
• Add Devon cream: $3.49 (taxes included) 

Tea and scone: $6.56 (taxes included) 

• Substitute gluten-free options: $1.16 (taxes included)
• Add Devon Cream: $3.49 (taxes included

Notes

• Large groups: Reservations of 7 or more guests must be booked directly with the tearoom coordinator (call 613-580-2088 ext. 35258). Groups will be seated at tables of four or six. To keep pathways clear, tables cannot be pushed together and chairs cannot be added to a table.
• Allergies and dietary restrictions: While we make reasonable efforts to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions identified during the reservation process, we cannot guarantee a cross-contact free environment. Vegan and gluten-free alternatives are available but must be requested in advance. We are unable to meet last-minute requests for accommodation at the time of service. If your allergy or dietary needs change, please contact the museum in advance of your seating to update your reservation.
• Accessibility: Tea on the Lawn is served outside under an open-sided tent with a stone floor which may be rough or uneven in some areas. A passenger drop-off and pick-up zone is available in front of the lobby entrance. Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum webpage. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum.
• Weather: In the rare event that weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances necessitate the cancellation of Tea on the Lawn, all guests with a reservation will be contacted directly with further information. 

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 the Brim: Tales Told Through the Hats We Wore

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. 

Accessibility

Please note that the "Beyond the Brim" exhibition is located on the second floor of the museum and is only accessible by stairs. A visual aid is available in the lobby for those unable to access the exhibition. The primary exhibition, “The Billings Family Story”, can be explored on the ground floor. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum at 613-580-2088 or by email at museums@ottawa.ca. 

Beyond the Brim [pdf - 0.98 MB]

We are also happy to provide this document by email. Please contact the museum at museums@ottawa.ca to request a copy. 

Thank you

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
• Kim Kilpatrick
• Adèle Peyraud-Bandini

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.