Bytown Museum

Toward the locks, just down from the Fairmont Château Laurier and the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography is the Bytown Museum (234-4570), run by the Historical Society of Ottawa. Built during the winter of 1826–27 as the treasury and storehouse during the construction of the Rideau Canal, the museum is located in what is considered the oldest existing building in Ottawa, formally presented by the city to the Women’s Canadian Historical Society (precursor to the Historical Society) by Mayor Charlotte Whitton in 1951. The Historical Society, which currently meets monthly at the Routhier Community Centre in Lowertown, maintains over 1,500 volumes on early Bytown and Ottawa history in the museum. The reference library is available to the public, and open every Wednesday and Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.– it is advised that you call ahead to confirm the librarian is available. The museum itself hosts regular programming throughout the year, including Winterlude events, Haunted March Break, and Canada Day tours; the website grants users a virtual tour if you can’t make it there in person.