Bytown Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1917 |
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| Location | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada lower locks of the Rideau Canal on the Ottawa River just below Parliament Hill |
| Type | Museum |
The Bytown Museum (French: Musée Bytown) is a cool place in Ottawa, Canada. It's located right by the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River, just below Parliament Hill. This museum tells the story of how Ottawa began as a town called Bytown. It also shows how Bytown grew into the big city we know today as Ottawa.
The museum is inside the Commissariat Building. This building is the oldest stone building still standing in Ottawa! The Bytown Museum started in 1917. It was created by a group of women called the Women's Canadian Historical Society of Ottawa (WCHSO). The museum first opened at 70 Nicholas Street. Later, in 1951, it moved to its current home in the Commissariat Building. The museum was closed for a short time from 1982 to 1985 for important renovations.
Contents
Discovering the Bytown Museum's Past
How the Museum Began
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The Bytown Museum first opened its doors in 1917. It was originally called the "Bytown Historical Museum." It was located in an old city office building on Nicholas Street in Ottawa.
A group of about 30 women started the museum. They were part of the Women's Canadian Historical Society of Ottawa (WCHSO). This group wanted to learn more about Canadian history and share it with others. They had collected many old items and needed a permanent place to keep them.
Early Exhibitions and Collections
The WCHSO was founded in 1898. Before opening the museum, they held two special "Loan Exhibitions." These were like temporary shows where they displayed historical items.
The first exhibition was in 1899. It showed old pictures of Ottawa, including one from 1859. This picture showed what the city looked like back then. The second exhibition was in 1906. It displayed what people thought was Samuel de Champlain's astrolabe. An astrolabe is an old tool used for navigation. This astrolabe is now at the Canadian Museum of History.
Moving to a New Home
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On October 25, 1917, the museum officially opened. The mayor of Ottawa, Harold Fisher, was there. The building was used for meetings and to display historical items. Many people helped get the museum ready. Thomas Ahearn provided appliances, and J.R. Booth helped fix the floors. Even inmates from a nearby jail helped paint the inside!
The museum stayed at the Registry Building until 1954. In 1951, the women secured a lease for the Commissariat Building. They worked hard to prepare the new building for their collection. By 1954, everything had been moved.
From 1982 to 1985, the Commissariat Building was closed for repairs by Parks Canada. During this time, the museum moved to Wellington Street temporarily. The Historical Society of Ottawa managed the museum until 2003. Then, a special board was created, and the museum became a non-profit charity.
Exploring the Museum's Exhibitions
Where Ottawa Begins: Permanent Displays
The museum's main exhibition is called Where Ottawa Begins. It covers two floors of the Commissariat Building.
- The second floor tells the story of the Ottawa area. It starts from when Europeans first settled there. It goes up to 1855, when Ottawa officially became a city.
- The third floor continues the story. It shows how Ottawa grew and what life was like in Victorian times. You can also learn about important events, like the burning of the Parliament Buildings.
Special Areas for Visitors
On the second floor, you'll find the Temporary Gallery and the Community Gallery. These galleries often feature changing exhibits. The third floor also has a special area just for kids called "A Day in My Life." It's a fun place for younger visitors to explore history.
Gallery
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Commissariat building, shown in an 1834 painting, serves as the Bytown Museum
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View of Rideau Canal & Bytown Museum
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View of Rideau Canal & Bytown Museum
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1906 Loan Exhibition held at the National Art Gallery, Ottawa (Cover of exhibit catalogue; published in 1907)
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See also
