After “considerable talk among the ladies of the city” about the preservation of Ottawa’s rich cultural heritage, the Women’s Canadian Historical Society of Ottawa was formed in June of 1898. With the motto of “Love Thou Thy Land” their goal was “to encourage the collection and preservation of Canadian historical records and relics and to foster Canadian loyalty and patriotism.” The WCHSO laid the foundation for what would later become the BYTOWN MUSEUM. The early years of the WCHSO consisted of the writing historical papers, regular meetings and “Loan Exhibitions” – displays that brought together artefacts from the private collections of the members and local history enthusiasts. By 1917 the burgeoning WCHSO was in dire need of a permanent home. After years of wandering, the former City Registry Office, located at 70 Nicholas Street, was acquired and renamed the Bytown Historical Museum. The Museum was opened on October 25, 1917 by Mayor Harold Fisher as “a museum for relics and souvenirs;” celebrating the occasion with its most comprehensive loans exhibition yet. Many of the items loaned would become some of the first permanent accessions into the collection, allowing the WCHSO to finally begin to fulfill its original mandate to collect and preserve. After years of collecting, with a boom in the 1930s, the WCHSO was once again on the lookout for a larger more suitable home. In 1948 the Commissariat at the Ottawa Locks was proposed. Significant funds were raised to make urgent repairs to the dilapidated building and the WCHSO took possession of the building in September of 1951. Despite being described as “encrusted with century-old dust and grime” with deteriorated plaster, a leaking roof and an inadequate electrical system, the Building Committee report described the Commissariat as the “perfect setting for the BYTOWN MUSEUM.” After much needed renovations, the BYTOWN MUSEUM opened its doors in the Commissariat (our present location) on June 27, 1952. The Society opened its membership to men and changed its name to the Historical Society of Ottawa in 1956. unescoThe 1980s was an era of exciting growth for the HSO; first with the inaugural publication of the Bytown Pamphlet Series and later, under the leadership of their new landlord, Parks Canada, the complete renovation and restoration of the Commissariat between 1982 and 1984. When the Museum reopened in 1985 BYTOWN MUSEUM Treasures highlighted key artefacts and recent acquisitions including some of our most iconic pieces.

You have to be interested in the history of a place to enjoy the exposition. The building has a rich history is is an integral part of the construction of Bytown/Ottawa.The artifacts are stern a bit haphazardly without a chronological order that can make the visitor going back and forth in time a bit too quickly. I found not enough was said about Lieutenant Colonel John By, the founder of Ottawa, originally Bytown for his name. In all it is an amazing, pictoresque place to visit with the locks and the parliament not far. Difficult access for wheelchair and a long steep walk down to the river and back up for mobility empaired also the third floor is not accessible by elevator. Motorized access should be made available for people needing it or visitor tired after long walk to get to the site.

Such a wonderful museum. I walked in and was greeted right away by a staff member that I had briefly worked with a few months back! So, my experience kicked off with a good start. Admission is super cheap for students and there's so much information inside. I came almost solely to see the small exhibit on Croatia and it paid off. My only complaint is unrelated to the museum itself and not fixable but as a word of advise, it's in a confusing location to drive to and I admittedly did get lost twice trying to find it as I thought the road looked a little too much like a sidewalk to drive on but that could just be me being nervous in an unfamiliar city. Otherwise, I loved every aspect of it :)

Note that Bytown is the old name of Ottawa so this is the history of the city that you won't get from the Canadian History Museum. Although young, the staff know the history of Ottawa very well. Sure it's not the national one but as a history of Ottawa it is unbelievably detailed and well organized for it's limited space. It has 3 (or 4?) stories so do not think this is a quick 30 minute browse. You can spend at least 2 hours. Don't drive there - just go there from your walk across the bridge from the Cdn history museum and up from the Rideau canal entrance.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Parking space
Not sure

Looks small from the outside, but one can easily spend four hours here. It is underrated because of its outside appearance but by taking a closer look, one sees that it tells many stories about the early days of Bytown (old name of Ottawa), the construction of the Rideau Canal, the life of Col. By, and the often overlooked stories of children, women, and immigrants in Ottawa. I recommend that before visiting the Byward Market, tourists should stop here to learn about its foundation.

Very informative visit, amazing and friendly staff and affordable price. I was happy I decided to enter the additional two stories of the museum and I learned a lot about Ottawa's history and beyond. The only room for improvement is including more information about indigenous communities and their history in the narrative, but I was told the museum is working on this and soon will introduce labels in Anishinaabemowin in addition to English and French.

No admission fee, and no guided tours- I only could see the ground floor, the rest of the museum is not open. No one was there to answer questions in case you have one. There was a field trip- the kids were playing around with the items displayed, and they were very loud and Bratt. However, the museum is very interesting and informative- the canal is amazingly built.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

There might be ghosts here. Location is amazing . A fun family experience. A pivitol part of ottawas history . U could almost say this is where it all began . The only reason Ottawa exists as a capital and major city is because Cornel John bi decided this was the best place to defend Ontario if the Americans had fully invaded Ontario . Toronto and Kingston would of been a total right off and Ottawa would of been the place to defend and fight back.

A cheap quiet and cute museum. It has a lot of different things to look at and learn. It is said to be haunted. It did feel creepy in certain spots so if you are into that kind of thing then you will want to check it out. They have a little store where you can buy little trinkets and ice-cream. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. They will help you with anything you need and answer all your questions to the best of their ability.

An amazing little museum by the canal! The staff was very excited to have visitors there and happy to share info. They were very knowledgeable and helpful. Definitely check it out - sometimes smaller museums get missed because of bigger ones around, but this is a great one to learn about Ottawa’s history and shouldn’t be missed if you’re visiting!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

I would have given them 5 stars for being such a nice little 'local' museum, if it wasn't for the fact that they forgot to tell us that the audio guides were available. We spent 20 minutes reading signs before another visitor suggested the audio guide to us. We started over again. This guide was excellent at explaining the exhibits. It's a nice little museum (45 - 60 minutes) if you want to learn about Ottawa's interesting past.

The Bytown Museum is a very nice accompaniment to the Rideau Canal. While definitely not a must-see, for a very small price you can get an in-depth history of the Canal and Ottawa. It's easy to spend at least an hour here with many well-preserved artifacts and interesting videos, despite the small building. As a tourist, it was great to learn more about the capital of Canada during my trip.

Exhibition offered a rich history of Ottawa/Bytown. My kid had a fun and educational time filling in their quiz while learning a little bit of local history. The stone house Is located at the lower locks of the Rideau canal with a beautiful backdrop of the Ottawa river. There is a charming cafe located inside the museum if you want a quick bite before or after your visit.

Its avery small museum near parliament but its location is very nice. You can finish the museum tour in 20 to 30 minutes. Also, in front of museum is Ottawa locks for entry or exit of boats, which is very cool to see. A little treasure hunt is there too, if you find it you will get a prize, which is fun for kids to get them excited.

Enjoyed a great day at the Bytown Museum celebrating Colonel By Day! Interacted with costumed characters, explored the 3 levels, did a scavenger hunt, learned some history of the area, and watched the rideau canal locks in action! Great place to visit!
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
No wait

It is a nice small museum. I'm giving it "just" 3 stars because it is really small. However, I learnt a lot of Ottawa's history, and to be honest, it's just next to the cool locks, which are amazing. So, overall, if you're there to see the locks, and you want to learn some history, this place is a must

Go for a visit when they reopen, but in the meantime, I've been really enjoying the piles of online content that they have been producing for Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. A great staff, beautiful setting, and hopefully a shining beacon for what museums can be going forward!

Very intresting museum with friendly staff and good prices. Highly suggest to visit if you have nothing to do in ottawa. Its abit of a walk to the small musuem but the walk is well deserved as the view is beautiful as its right on the Ridue Cannal. Overall good visit.

The info says, built by British in 1827 and the oldest stone building in the city. Humm,,, There's a little unknown church in London where I live is 800 years old and I've never been there even once. No relevance, just something this little museum reminded me of.

A great little museum. Gave a good history of the area that I didn't know about (I'm just visiting Canada). The exhibit on the parliament fires is really interesting too. Well worth a visit. Entry is cheap and it takes about an hour or two to get around.

A nice little museum in a beautiful location. We came in to escape the heat, but were pleasantly surprised by the museum, especially the building itself. I wouldn't make the trip just for the museum, but if you are on the canal, it is worth popping in.

This museum narrates the history of bytown area. It explains how the area which was once regarded as of the most notorious places in Canada got transformed into a major tourist spot. The entry fee is very reasonable at $2/person.

small nice museum that you won't find unless you are willing to walk the stairs down from parliament hill (a bigger temptation) ... the history of ottawa was started here and this is where you should start your ottawa journey ...

It is not a very big museum. I don't know if it would be worth the price of admission. However, in the summer, it is free on Thursdays after 5pm. At that price it was worth it and it is by the locks which is always fun to watch.

Went for chile fire work show. The show was great which wasnt a direct reflection of the museum. But nice little museum. Entry was not organized well at all. No clear instructions either. Beutiful view on regular night as well.

Went in, paid my $2, and took the "virtual tour" (audio player with headphones). Thought it would be lame, but was pleasantly surprised; absolutely worth $2, and I'm sure even moreso if you go when a human guide is available.

Small little museum about the Rideau Canal. Maybe too small. Don't come exclusively to this museum or you will be disappointed. If you are around please stop visit, just don't come expecting an astonishing museum, its tiny.

Provides a great history of Ottawa. The location is fun to get to, you need to walk down by the locks. The kids enjoyed it more than I expected, especially the top floor where they got to see how a child lived back then.

Great Museum. Loved the kids activity, the information is great. Nice views. Not a big museum, so it isa great option for a family outing. After the museum you van check out the canal and walk to the park. Great time.

This small gem of a place can tell you everything you need to know about Ottawa's in an hour. We almost didn't realize what it was until our walking tour guide, Phillip (huge thanks!), suggested we go this place.

Went to see the exhibit on 100 years of youth in Ottawa that my daughter helped out together while she was on the Bytown Museum Youth Council. Some great photos of Ottawa youth being awesome over the last century!

It's a very small museum, but has historical significance because of the Rideau Canal nearby. When it is hot and humid outside, visiting this museum provides much-needed relief. Audio-visual displays are nice.

An amazing place. The museum is very beautiful. The place is very clean. There is so much history kept in there to read. A nice place to go if you are visiting Ottawa. Don't miss the chance, It's cheap too.

This the oldest stone house in ottawa is supposedly one of the most haunted buildings in the capital region. While taking a tour, some spooky unexplained things happened. Enter at your own risk …

A very interesting collection of artifacts from the early history of Ottawa, great vibe down by the locks.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Friendly staff and a cute little shop to swing by as you move along the water. Staff have alot of knowledge. If you can't make it there is a 3d tour with alot of info also available.

Well laid out and beautifully maintained. The audio guide is highly recommended to understand a detailed historical account of old Bytown and it's transformation into modern Ottawa.

Small museum at the origin of the Rideau canal, that describes the origins of Ottawa. Worth a stop in if your already visiting the canal and it's open. Supposedly haunted as well.

Small museum tucked away beside the start of the Rideau canal. The museum showcases the early history of Ottawa. Not very engaging for children, but a nice, well done museum.

The Commissariat (1827), now the Bytown Museum, is the oldest stone building in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It originally served a supply base for the adjacent Rideau Canal.

Excelente place. To visit and know more of ottawa... The has a big knowledge about every corner of the city... And he was very pacient with us.. Great place to visit.

Nice place to stop for a coffee and watch the boats going up the canal.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Great little place, and FREE TO ENTER! It was awesome to warm up with the hot chocolate -- hot chocolate was too sweet for me, but I'm sure many would enjoy.

pretty small museum which actually packs a lot of punch, there's a few floors to this pretty building and it's located along the path of the rideau canal :D

Neat historical site at the head of the Rideau Canal that sells small snacks and drinks. Be sure to watch a boat travel through the locks if you stop by!

Great exhibitions, v informative about the city and not just the neighbourhood or canal. Receptionists average but curator was quick to reply over email.

In the shadow of the Parlement Hill a larger complex is in order there? Leaving the existing building original.. Sky is the limit for Ottawa's history?

The staff were so kind! Really put a smile on my face! Thank you so much for all your help to the staff on duty at 2:30pm June 19th. -Skateboarder

Well worth a visit to learn a little of Ottawa's history. Staff very helpful and friendly. Check the opening days and hours before visiting.

Nice little museum to learn about the origins of Ottawa, By town. The locks of the Rideau Canal and the other places around are a must.

Nice & Simple atmosphere. Reasonable prices. Great sandwiches with good assortment of ice cream & freshly quizzed summer lemonade.

A cozy museum at the heart of Ottawa's history nestled along the locks at the confluence of the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River.

Learned so much about Ottawa! I am definitely going to recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about Ottawa's history!

I really like it. The ticket for adults is $8 CAD Be ware of closing month for whole January. Make a phone call before you go.

Really nice museum for only 2 canadian. With a free audio tour that's informative about Ottawa's history and a lot of fun

Great little museum for a great price! Lots of information, staff is really friendly and helpful. Scenery is beautiful!

We loved poking around this place with audio to guide us. Lots of interesting information about Colonel By and Ottawa.

Excellent museum that contains the history of the city of Ottawa. And it is located next to the locks on the canal

Nice museum to stop by in, very close to the docks so it's easy to walk outside and get a great view of the sunset

The Bytowne Museum is not accessible for people who use walkers + wheelchairs. Washrooms are on the second floor.

Very quaint museum full of facts about the area and Rideau Canal creation. Worth the fee to see all 3 floors.

Fabulous historical site, good for education. Very cheap snacks like 2$ bagels :) boutique available as well

Nice museum. Alot of little tidbits I would have never known about Ottawa. Plus the location is beautiful!

Took advantage of the audio-tour-SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE. Definitely a hidden gem of a museum in Ottawa!

Lots of history to be read! Surprised so much to know from such a small museum! Very well maintained!

Everyone one is very knowledgeable & quick to answer questions. A great museum for the whole family.

The best middle eatern/persian restaurant in Ottawa, good location, nice food, price is reasonable,

Great little museum. Entrance fee is low and there's a lot of info packed in for it's size.

Give yourself about 1 hour to properly read and take in the displayed history of the place.

We really enjoyed this small museum and the canal locks it is next to. Good use of time.

Learn all about Ottawa's beginnings and be close to everything downtown for a great day

My favorite little museum in Ottawa. Beautiful location at UNESCO world heritage site.

So much history beautiful displayed. Well worth a visit. We found all seven cards!

Highly recommend this museum. Great information about early Ottawa and Bytown.

A wonderful view into the history of Ottawa and the Rideau canal. A must see.

Beautifully organized and displayed museum. The audio tour is fantastic

Arrived at 3:50, have 10 minutes to view the museum. Small but unique.

Have great knowledge about the history of ottawa and all its landmarks

Interesting to see how was life in Ottawa at the beginning of the city

Was there to see the Girl Guide display re History of Camp Woolsey.

Good collections and historical explanations of the city and region

Visiting during ghost walk, will return during the day for a review

A fun little learning experience of the Ottawa valley's origins.

Visited this museum during haunted tour. Lots of great stories.

Very nice small museum well laid out and people very welcoming

Great stop for short trip to the past, and nice souvenir shop.

It's a nice museam to stop it while on a walk around the hill

Make sure you budget at least 10 min to see all the exhibits.

Great monument. Though, it's not much of a museum really...

Ottawa has an amazing history that most take for granted.

Museum is very small but the park is really great visit.

Fabulous! A very interesting part of Canada's history!

Small museum with great views by the locks and river.

Very nice place second time i come this place love it

Small museum telling the history, staff are very nice

Best place to go to learn more about Canadian culture

Fantastic little museum. Full of interesting history.

Small by neat place to visit along the Rideau Canal.

Great historical museum on the foundation of ottawa

Good museum for the history of Ottawa's beginning.