Fairfields Heritage House

An impressive 19^th century Gothic Revival farm house, Fairfields Heritage House represents the homestead and community building legacy of the Bell family. Originally built on 660 acres of farm land, the museum tells the story of almost 200 years of rich, local history and the people who so actively helped shape the evolution of the area.

Beautiful green lawns surround the house and are an invitation to spend leisure time at the site. With a gazebo, gardens, and statuesque trees the space is perfect for picnics, exploration, and family-friendly activities.

Drop–in activities 

Dates: August 23, September 27, October 18 and November 22 
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm
Cost: Pay-what-you-can

Play, tinker, and create at Fairfields Heritage House. Families are invited to get creative with drop-in activities inspired by heritage skills and local history. Bonus! Explore the museum from a new perspective with a fun, kid-friendly scavenger hunt.

Activities are best suited for families with children aged 6 to 12 but all are welcome.

Activities
August 23 – Yarn birds
September 27 – Bottle cats
October 18 – Clay pinch pots
November 22 – Weaving

Notes

• This is a drop-in style program; families are welcome to join the activities at any time during the advertised hours. The activity is offered while supplies last.
• Activities are best suited for families with children aged 6 to 12 but all are welcome. Younger children may require the assistance of an adult or older sibling to complete the activities.
• The primary language of delivery for this program is English. Any printed materials will be provided in both official languages (English/French).
• The museum is a historic house. Due to building standards of the time, not all parts of the museum may be accessible to all. The program is delivered on the second floor which is up a flight of stairs. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, contact the museum at 613-580-9638 (Nepean Museum) or museums@ottawa.ca. Additional information regarding accessibility is available on the museum webpage. 

Can You Dig It?

Dates: August 8, August 15, August 22, and August 29
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. Kids will get their hands dirty like Indiana Jones in a simulated excavation site at one of Ottawa's historic homes.

Themes

Archeology (August 8)
Dig into archeology! Learn about the Bell family and identify the artefacts you find. 

Geology (August 15)
Unearth the secrets of our natural history and identify geological samples.

Paleontology (August 22)
Discover the world of plant and animal fossils.

Beyond the Pit (August 29)
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. An accessible washroom is available on the ground floor of the museum. If you have questions or concerns about accessibility, please contact 613-580-9638 (Nepean Museum) or museums@ottawa.ca.
• Sessions with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If the session cannot be rescheduled, a refund will be issued.  

Creation Station

Dates: September 19 and October 3
Times: 10 am to 11 am
Ages: 6 to 8
Cost: $7.78 per child
Advance registration is required.

Create memories at the museum! Explore how people lived, worked and played in the past through engaging heritage-inspired activities and make an awesome keepsake of your very own to remember the adventure.

Themes
September 19 – Life on the Farm
October 3 – All About Apples

This program is also offered on alternative dates at Nepean Museum.

Notes

• This program is delivered in English.
• Please dress your child in clothes you are comfortable with getting messy.
• Sessions with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If an alternative cannot be offered, a refund will be issued.
• The museum is a historic house. Due to building standards of the time, not all parts of the museum may be accessible to all. The program is delivered on the second floor which is up a flight of stairs. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, contact the museum at 613-580-9638 (Nepean Museum) or museums@ottawa.ca. Additional information regarding accessibility is available on the museum webpage.

Make It!

Dates: October 3 and October 24
Times: 2 pm to 3:30 pm
Ages: 9 to 11
Cost: $7.78 per child
Advance registration is required.

Make it creative! Make it silly! Make it messy! Make it fun! History is never boring at this museum. We’re shaking things up and exploring a different heritage theme through engaging, hands-on S.T.E.A.M. activities each session.  

Themes
October 3 – Apple Investigators
October 24 – Celebrating Latin America Month

This program is also offered on alternative dates at Nepean Museum.

Notes

• This program is delivered in English.
• Please dress your child in clothes you are comfortable with getting messy.
• Sessions with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If an alternative cannot be offered, a refund will be issued.
• The museum is a historic house. Due to building standards of the time, not all parts of the museum may be accessible to all. The program is delivered on the second floor which is up a flight of stairs. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, contact the museum at 613-580-9638 (Nepean Museum) or museums@ottawa.ca. Additional information regarding accessibility is available on the museum webpage.

Artefact collections

Purchased by William Bell in the 1820s, the Bell family homestead – now known as Fairfields Heritage House – remained in the Bell family for nearly 175 years. The collection of 3,000 artefacts tells the history of five generations of the Bell family within the context of the greater Ottawa area. Many of these objects are on exhibition at the historic house.

Exhibits

Recreated historic rooms of this designated heritage property tell the story of the many generations of the Bell family who made their mark on the home, the property, and their community over the 175 years they lived at the site. Artefacts, including furniture, personal belongings, and artwork tell the story of the Bell family's shifting priorities from farming to social issues to politics.

Virtual Tour

Can’t visit the museum in person? Fairfields Heritage House can be toured from the comfort of your own home. This virtual tour gives you a 3D look at of the Bell family homestead.

Use the coloured circles to help guide you:

• Click on the grey circles on the floor to navigate around the museum.
• Click on the blue circles to discover the house and artefacts.
• Click on the yellow circles to view images from the past.
• Click and drag anywhere on screen to rotate your view 360°.

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.

To enquire about volunteering, please contact museums@ottawa.ca.

Fairfields Heritage House is located in the quiet west-end neighbourhood of Bayshore. The 19th century Gothic Revivial farmhouse sits on 1.8 acres of greenspace offering an ideal setting for smaller-scale outdoor gatherings, celebrations, and photography sessions. 

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

• Grounds - Fairfields Heritage House

For more information, please contact our Customer Service Booking Clerk. Call 613-580-9638 or email 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

• 25 metres from parking space to the door

Passenger Loading Zone

• Cut curb

Entrance/Exit

• 1  accessible entrance
• Ramp
• Wide door for wheelchair passage

Reception desks

• Floor area for manoeuvring a wheelchair

Washrooms

• Accessible washroom on 1st floor
• Lowered sink counters
• Lowered towel dispensers
• Large stalls to allow transfers

Stairs

• Stairs with no-slip surface
• Continuous hand rails

Learn more about Inclusive Recreation and accessible services.