Cumberland Heritage Village Museum

Step back in time to the 1920s and 1930s while exploring an historic village just a 30-minute drive outside Ottawa's downtown core. See dozens of heritage buildings and true-to-era reproductions. Find a quiet escape or join us for a special event. The Cumberland Heritage Village Museum offers unique opportunities to create unforgettable moments for visitors of all ages. 

Step back in time at Ottawa’s very own living history museum! Experience rural life in a recreated 1920s and 30s village. Chat with costumed villagers as they complete daily tasks on the farm, in the home, or at work. Explore the General Store or a one-room Schoolhouse. Get a glimpse at domestic life as you move between Duford House and Foubert House. Check out a trade demonstration highlighting authentic tools and techniques of the era. Learn about life on the rails in the CN Caboose, see a 1927 firetruck in the Fire Hall, take a quiet moment in Knox Church and discover a piece of local transportation history at Watson’s Garage. Don’t forget to say hello to the heritage breed animals that call the museum home each summer!

Activities and demonstrations are offered Wednesday to Sunday between 9 am and 3 pm, excluding special event days when themed programming is delivered. For information about special events, visit ottawa.ca/cumberlandmuseum.

Activities and demonstrations rotate throughout the week. Be sure to ask on arrival about the day’s highlights! 

*Activities and demonstrations may be adjusted or cancelled in the event of unsafe weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Thank you for your understanding. 

Tractor-pulled wagon rides

Take a tour of the village in a tractor-pulled accessible wagon. Meet the wagon at Watson’s Garage to join the tour: 10 am and 1 pm. 

*Due to the increased number of pedestrian visitors on the village paths during large events, wagon rides are not offered on these days. Thank you for helping us keep all our visitors safe. To learn more about special events, visit ottawa.ca/cumberlandmuseum. 

Heritage trades and skills

Heritage trade and skill demonstrations rotate from Wednesday to Saturday. They may include:

• Blacksmithing
• Carpentry and woodworking
• Food preparation and preservation (cooking, baking, etc.)
• Gardening and farming
• Leatherworking
• Mechanics (machinery, vehicle and equipment maintenance)
• Milling (sawmill)
• Printing and typesetting
• Textile arts (sewing, quilting, embroidery, etc.)
• Tinsmithing 

Sundays at the museum

On Sundays, activities and demonstrations shift to exploring themes of leisure time and social gatherings. Activities and demonstrations rotate from week to week. They may include:

• Movies, radio shows or music from the era
• Food preparation and preservation
• Gardening and harvesting
• Heritage trades
• Community needlework projects (sewing bee, quilting bee, etc.)

Canteen and Boutique

Please note that the canteen is temporarily closed as we complete renovations. Chocolate bars, water and pop are available for purchase at the admission desk (Train Sation): 9 am to 4 pm. 

Visitors are always welcome to pack snacks or a lunch from home to enjoy a picnic on the village green. 

Browse the Boutique located in the Train Station to discover a variety of souvenirs crafted with care by the museum’s tradespeople and artisans: 9 am to 4 pm. 

Tips for exploring the museum safely

• The museum is a recreated village and working farm. The pathways and green spaces are shared by pedestrians as well as farm equipment and maintenance vehicles. Please be aware of your surroundings as you explore the site.
• Visitor vehicles are not permitted on the museum pathways. Parking is available in front of the Train Station. During special events, overflow parking is available in the West Field.
• Dogs must be on leash. Except for briefly passing through the Train Station to enter the village, dogs are not permitted inside buildings (unless they are service animals). Please clean up after your pet and be respectful of sharing the village with other visitors and farm animals.
• Do not touch or feed the farm animals.
• Do not pick or eat flowers, plants, crops or fruit.
• The tap water at the museum is not potable. There are water coolers located in the Train Station and at the Washrooms where visitors can refill bottles they’ve brought from home. Water is also available to purchase from the canteen (or in the Train Station while the canteen is closed for renovations).
• Do not eat or drink inside the heritage buildings. Picnic tables and benches are available throughout the site for snack breaks.
• Do not climb on trees or farm equipment.
• Help us preserve the buildings, artefacts, tools, and equipment on display for future generations! While the village has been designed to encourage immersion and hands-on experiences, please be mindful of any barriers or signage indicating off-limit areas or objects that should not be touched or handled. When in doubt, ask a member of staff. We’re always happy to help.
• The village includes both outdoor and indoor spaces. Dress with weather conditions; comfortable shoes, sun protection and insect repellant are recommended. When using outdoor spaces, keep your eyes open for harmful plants including poison ivy, wild parsnip and giant hogweed. If you spot these plants on museum grounds, do not touch them and report the location to staff.
  1. Ottawa Public Health – Sun safety
  2. Ottawa Public Health – How to protect yourself from tick bites and Lyme disease
• In addition to farm animals, the museum grounds are also home to native species, including groundhogs. Groundhog burrows can create tripping hazards; please be mindful of your footing when using museum green spaces.
• We know that visitors have different sensory sensitivities and needs. The following resources may help you prepare for your visit:
  1. Access guide (Ottawa Museum Network)
  2. Sensory bag program (Ottawa Museum Network)
• Please report any incidents or safety concerns to a member of staff. 

Murder Mystery Brunch

Sunday, August 23 from 10:30 am to 1 pm
Ages 14 and up
Cost: $51.48 per person (plus tax). Brunch is included in the ticket price.
Advance registration is required.

Unleash your inner detective and solve the case! Enjoy an unforgettable morning of intrigue and suspense at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. You will be guided through the village from scene to scene while actors bring an original murder mystery play to life. Work together to connect the clues and solve the case before time runs out.  A seated buffet-style brunch, featuring a menu of classic and delicious breakfast foods, will be served mid-performance.  

“1926, the 100^th anniversary of Bytown” (performed by Vintage Stock Theatre): It’s 1926, and Cumberland is joining in the festivities for Ottawa’s centenary, marking the anniversary of Bytown’s founding. The excitement is already palpable when the Stampede Centenary Cup rolls through town on its way to the city for a week of rodeo entertainment. When the celebration gets too wild, the party comes to a sudden halt. A murder has taken place! And everyone’s a suspect with something to hide.  

Notes

• The performance is delivered in English.
• The performance starts promptly at 10:30 am, please plan your arrival time accordingly. Brunch will be served mid-performance at 11:30 am. 
• This performance involves moving between multiple outdoor locations which may include crossing gravel, grassy, or uneven terrain. Dress for weather conditions, with appropriate footwear for periods of standing or walking. Brunch will be served under a shelter with tables and seating provided. 
• This program runs rain or shine. A rain location at the museum has been identified in the event of inclement weather. 
• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, contact the museum at 613-580- 2988 or museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca. Additional information regarding accessibility is available on the museum webpage.  
   

1930s Fair Day 

Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026 
Time: 10 am to 3 pm 
Cost: Adult - $9.42; Senior (ages 65 and up) - $6.65; Student (valid full-time student ID required) - $6.65; Youth (ages 6 to 17) - $6.65; Child (ages 5 and under) - Free; Family (Up to two adults, and accompanying children, all living in the same household) - $23.83.  

Join us at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum for fun, games and music inspired by the history of rural fairs and community gatherings! Explore a 1920s and 30s heritage village. Test your skills with an old-fashioned midway game. Catch an ice cream making demonstration (and try a sample, while supplies last). Don’t forget your dancing shoes! Enjoy folktales with our guest storyteller and tap your feet along to authentic vintage records that will evoke the dances and radio playlists of the era. See farm animals and learn about the long tradition of livestock judging competitions. Watch artisans highlight their traditional trades. Bonus! Check out the Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers and participate in a hands-on demonstration of their large-scale model locomotives.  

Special guests:

•    Western Russell 4-H
•    Étienne Laliberté (Heritage Livestock Club of Eastern Ontario)
•    Louis Mercier (Storyteller) - 11 am and 12:30 pm
•    DJ Hokum (Music)
•    Ottawa Olde Forge Rug Hooking
•    Outaouais Wood Carvers
•    Ottawa Valley Weavers' and Spinners' Guild
•    Hoofbeats and Heartbeats Equine - 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
•    Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers - 10:30 am to 3 pm

Notes

• Admission for this event is paid at the door. Please enter the museum through the Train Station (adjacent to the main parking lot).
• This event takes place rain or shine. Please dress for weather conditions, including proper footwear for uneven, grassy or gravel terrain. Activities and demonstrations may be adjusted in the event of inclement weather.
• There are packed gravel pathways between buildings, however some activities may take place on the lawn. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum at 613-580-2988 or by email at museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca. Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum webpage.

50^th Anniversary Open House

Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Cost: Free admission

We’re celebrating the museum’s 50^th anniversary (1976-2026) with an open house! Enjoy free admission all day on Sunday, September 20. As Ottawa’s very own living history museum, Cumberland Heritage Village Museum offers visitors an opportunity to step back in time to experience rural life in a recreated 1920s and 30s village. Explore heritage and true-to-era homes and workshops. Browse the General Store, swing by the Firehall, or peek inside Watson’s Garage. Chat with costumed visitors, meet farm animals and watch a skilled interpreter demonstrating their trade, handicraft or even a historic recipe. See vintage machinery and equipment still in operation today or catch a ride on a tractor-pulled wagon. 

Memory Wall

Drop into the Community Hall (Loyal Orange Lodge) to see the new Memory Wall featuring photographs of the museum from the last five decades, including images from the museum’s archive and submissions from community members. The Memory Wall will be on display to the public from September 20, 2026 through 2028. 

The 50th anniversary Memory Wall

In 2026, Cumberland Heritage Village Museum marks its 50th anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, we’re creating a memory wall filled with photos of the museum from past five decades. In addition to photographs from the museum’s archive, we’re inviting community members to submit photographs from 1976 to today to be included on the Memory Wall. Whether the moment was big or small, your memories are a part of the museum’s story!

The Memory Wall will be unveiled in the Community Hall (Loyal Orange Lodge) as part of Cumberland Heritage Village Museum’s 50th anniversary open house celebration on September 20, 2026. The Memory Wall will be on display in the Community Hall through December 2028.

Submit your photo 

Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers

All aboard! The Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers are back at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum for the summer season. Explore the evolution of rail travel and participate in an interactive demonstration of their large-scale model locomotives. Always a favourite for kids and adults alike! Regular admission fees apply.

May 31: 10:30 am to 3 pm
June 28: 10:30 am to 3 pm (Bonus! Animal Helpers – 10 am to 3 pm)
July 26: 10:30 am to 3 pm
August 30: 10:30 to 3 pm (Bonus! 1930s Fair Day – 10 am to 3 pm)
September 27: 10:30 am to 3 pm

*The train demonstrations are weather dependent. In the event of inclement weather, the program may be adjusted or cancelled without notice.

Visit the museum on a school field trip

Program description - Village Life

Step into the past to better understand how people lived, worked and supported one another in rural Eastern Ontario during the 1920s and 1930s through an immersive, discovery-based experience at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. Explore the site independently through interactive demonstrations, self-guided exploration and encounters with costumed villagers, learning by being in the spaces where history happened. Village Life offers a curriculum-based program for school groups from Kindergarten to Grade 6. The experience includes a tractor-pulled wagon ride (weather dependent), reserved picnic seating and a drink and snack for each child. 

Program delivery

Cumberland Heritage Village Museum uses its historic buildings, landscapes and artefact collection to spark curiosity and meaningful connections to the past. Village Life emphasizes learning by doing, using stories, prompts and clues to encourage students to explore freely, ask questions of the villagers, including farmers and tradespeople, and draw their own conclusions based on observation and participation. Through these activities, students experience history as something lived and dynamic while having fun!  

Learning outcomes

Students will identify changes and continuities between past and present community life and explore how daily activities were shaped by available technologies, resources and social relationships. Students will investigate characteristics of living things and natural resources, including plants and animals, and examine the ways people depended on and interacted with their environment. By inspecting buildings, tools, landscapes and village spaces, students will apply inquiry and observation skills to gather information and draw conclusions. Through scavenger hunts, conversations with villagers and immersive role-play, students will strengthen oral communication and active listening skills while developing historical imagination. 

Curriculum links

• Social Studies: Communities, heritage and identity, roles and responsibilities and how people lived and worked in the past and present.
• Science / STEM: Observation and inquiry; needs and characteristics of living things, everyday materials, tools and simple machines; growth and changes in plants, human interaction with the environment and natural resources.
• Language: Oral communication, listening and interpreting visual and material texts found on buildings, artefacts and printed materials.
• Arts: Drama and role-play; visual representation through drawing. 

Availability, duration and cost

Availability: Mid-May to Thanksgiving. Visits can be booked to begin between 10 am and 3 pm. Teachers should expect to spend a minimum of 2 hours on site. The museum is open until 4 pm, however heritage demonstrations, wagon rides and canteen services are not available after 3 pm.  

Cost per child (2026): $6.57, taxes included. A one to seven (1:7) adult to child ratio is required. There is no charge for adult chaperones. 

Reservations

Plan ahead and secure your field trip early! Online booking form. Your visit can be booked a maximum of 100 days in advance. By submitting the booking form, you confirm that you have read, acknowledged, and agreed to the information provided below ("Preparing your class," "Your health and safety" and "Other items to be aware of").

After submitting the booking form, you will receive an automated confirmation email. If additional information is required to help prepare for your visit, a member of the museum team will follow up with you directly.

Preparing your class

Talk to your class about what you think you’ll see at the museum. Will there be farm animals, old cars or machines? Imagine what schools were like 100 years ago and whether all children attended. Think of questions to ask the blacksmith, tinsmith, printer, carpenter and leatherworker so you can learn about their trades. Be ready to spend lots of time outside, exploring the buildings, gardens and all the interesting corners of the museum. Remember to remind your students to stay with your group, watch their step and follow staff instructions onsite so everyone has a fun and safe visit. 

Your health and safety

1. Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is mainly an outdoor facility with hard packed gravel pathways between buildings. Visitors may encounter uneven ground. In winter, please wear proper footwear for snowy or icy conditions.
2. It is important to dress for the weather. Weather conditions might require the adjustment of activities, up to and including the cancellation of certain activities.
3. Please notify the museum of any allergy concerns prior to your visit.
4. If a member of your group gets separated, they should inform the closest member of staff that they cannot find their group.

Other items to be aware of

1. The heritage buildings on site were built to the standards of their time and some may not be accessible to all. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, contact the museum .
2. Please do not bring food or open drinks, other than water, into the buildings.
3. It is recommended not to drink water from the taps. The museum provides water coolers on site; please ensure everyone brings refillable water bottles.
4. The host for your visit will be bilingual and all handouts and signage are available in both English and French. However, we cannot guarantee that all experiences will be delivered in both languages.
5. Your host will greet you up to 5 minutes before your booking time. If you arrive before this time, please have the students wait on the bus and proceed to the train station (green and beige building by the parking lot) to inform staff that you have arrived. Please note that the building may not be open before 9 am.
6. If your group is larger than 120 students, please contact the museum before making your booking to ensure there is available capacity to accommodate your group.
7. Be sure to fill out the booking form as completely as possible. This ensures that the museum is prepared to give you the best possible experience.

If you have any questions about the information on this page or about the visit, please contact the museum.

Group visits

Travel back in time at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum!

We welcome visits from summer camps, daycares, homeschool organizations, senior residences, Girl Guide units and other community groups. We’ll work with you to suggest programming options, available dates and applicable admission fees. Museum operating hours, building and grounds access, and activities/demonstrations vary by season. Please contact museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca to start planning your visit. 

Summer camps

Are you planning a field trip for your summer camp group? Experience daily life in an Eastern Ontario village during the 1920s and 30s through interactive demonstrations, self-guided exploration and encounters with costumed villagers. Complete a scavenger hunt, see the farm animals, explore heritage spaces, take a wagon ride and learn more about historic trades, skills and pastimes. Cumberland Heritage Village Museum offers a living history experience in a recreated rural community featuring dozens of heritage and true-to-era buildings with acres of greenspace for recreation and relaxation. 

Availability and duration: Mid-May to Thanksgiving. Visits can be booked to begin between 10 am and 3 pm. Groups should expect to spend a minimum of two hours on site. Heritage demonstrations, wagon rides and canteen services run until 3 pm and the museum is open until 4 pm. 

Cost per child (2026): $6.57. A one to seven (1:7) adult to child ratio is required. There is no charge for chaperones. 

Book your visit: Book online (up to 100 days in advance) or contact museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca.

Before booking, please review the information outlined below.

Your health and safety

1. Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is mainly an outdoor facility with hard packed gravel pathways between buildings. Visitors may encounter uneven ground. In winter, please wear proper footwear for snowy or icy conditions.
2. It is important to dress for the weather. Weather conditions might require the adjustment of activities, up to and including the cancellation of certain activities.
3. Please notify the museum of any allergy concerns prior to your visit.
4. If a member of your group gets separated, they should inform the closest member of staff that they cannot find their group.

Other items to be aware of

1. The heritage buildings on site were built to the standards of their time and some may not be accessible to all. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, contact the museum.
2. Please do not bring food or open drinks, other than water, into the buildings.
3. It is recommended not to drink water from the taps. The museum provides water coolers on site; please ensure everyone brings refillable water bottles.
4. The host for your visit will be bilingual and all handouts and signage are available in both English and French. However, we cannot guarantee that all experiences will be delivered in both languages.
5. Your host will greet you up to 5 minutes before your booking time. If you arrive before this time, please wait on the bus and have your group leader proceed to the train station (green and beige building by the parking lot) to inform staff that you have arrived. Please note that the building may not be open before 9 am.
6. If your group is larger than 120, please contact the museum before making your booking to ensure there is available capacity to accommodate your group.
7. Be sure to fill out the booking form as completely as possible. This ensures that the museum is prepared to give you the best possible experience.

Representing a fascinating period in our history - the 1920s and 1930s - the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum's collection represents the social, cultural, technological, and economic changes of the era between the First and Second World Wars. Textiles, mass communication devices, agricultural equipment, recreational items, and furnishings are just a few examples of the more than 19,000 objects in our care in this collection, with many of them on site as part of the museum's immersive exhibition experience.

Permanent exhibition

Nestled next to fields of hay, corn, and barley, the entire museum is an immersive exhibition that tells the story of rural life as new technologies, transportation, and cultural trends were emerging. As you stroll through the village and explore its many buildings and spaces, you and your family will learn the stories of a fascinating part of history and see thousands of historic objects, machinery, and equipment that may seem in some ways so different from today, and in other ways very much the same.

Volunteer at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. By joining our team, you will play a vital role in bringing Ottawa’s local history to life. Our volunteers help deliver interactive educational programs, demonstrate heritage skills, and assist with various activities throughout the museum. We look forward to welcoming you to our volunteer team and working together to create memorable experiences for our visitors!

Cumberland Heritage Village Museum - volunteer opportunities

Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is a recreated 1920s and 30s village offering a vintage rural setting just 30 minutes from downtown Ottawa. With dozens of historic and true-to-era buildings, acres of greenspace, and gardens, the Museum provides a nostalgic backdrop for your special occasion. 

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

• Community Hall
• Knox Church
• Gazebo, picnic shelter and tent (Trio)

For more information, please contact our Customer Service Booking Clerk. Call 613-580-2988 or email museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca.

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

Access Guide and Sensory Bag Program

Planning a visit to Cumberland Heritage Village Museum? We know that museum visits can be a stressful experience for visitors with sensory sensitivities, and their families. The following resources may help you prepare for your visit:

Access guide (Ottawa Museum Network)
Sensory bag program (Ottawa Museum Network)

Accessibility features

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
  • 4 designated parking spaces
  • Accessible path of travel from the parking lot to entrance
  • 22 metres from parking space to the door
• Entrance/Exit
  • Ramp
  • Direct access to the main floor and admissions.
• Interior
  • Ramps in 16 of 20 buildings
  • Automatic door access to Train Station and Canteen
  • Wheelchair available to patrons
• Reception desks
  • Accessible counters
  • Floor area for maneuvering a wheelchair
• Signage
  • Directional signs
  • High contrast signage
  • Large lettering
• Floor Surfaces
  • Slip resistant surfaces
  • Low pile carpet, Wooden floor boards and G-floor covering
• Washrooms
  • Accessible washroom (Canteen)
  • Automatic door opener
  • Lowered sink counters
  • Large stalls to allow transfers
• Stairs
  • Good colour contrast (Train Station)
  • Continuous hand rails (Train Station & Duford House)
• Museums/Galleries/Archives
  • 14 exhibitions spaces are accessible

Learn more about special needs and accessible services.