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. 

Introduction to stained glass

June 28 and July 27 from 1 pm to 5 pm
Ages 16 and up
Cost: $102.95 + tax (per person)
Advance registration is required. (link is external)

Create your own stained-glass lantern with the guidance of an experienced artisan. In this workshop you’ll learn to cut and grind glass, construct a pattern, and solder your final design using copper foil. No previous experience is necessary—just enthusiasm to explore a new skill! Whether you’re inspired by the vibrant hues and intricate designs of stained-glass windows or looking to explore a new artistic avenue, all skill levels are welcome in this introductory workshop. Program supplies are included in the cost of registration. Light refreshments will be served.

Notes:

• The primary language of delivery for this program is English.
• Advance registration is required. Workshops with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If an alternative cannot be offered, a refund will be issued.
• Visit the Ottawa Hand in Hand web page for information on available financial supports to facilitate participation in recreation and culture programs.
• Please check-in at the Train Station (adjacent to the parking lot) on arrival at the museum. The pathways between buildings are packed gravel.
• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum by phone at 613-580-2988 or by email at museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca(link opens email application). Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum web page.

Introduction to tinsmithing

June 29 and July 20 from 1 pm to 5 pm
Ages 16 and up
Cost: $102.95 + tax (per person)
Advance registration is required. (link is external)

Step into the world of tinsmithing, where technical tradition meets creativity in a hands-on exploration of metal craftmanship. In this beginner-friendly workshop, you will work with tin and other metals to cut, shape and assemble a container. You will gain confidence using tools of the trade, including hammers, tin snips, and punches, as you express your unique style. Program supplies are included in the cost of registration. Light refreshments will be served.

Notes:

• The primary language of delivery for this program is English.
• Advance registration is required. Workshops with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If an alternative cannot be offered, a refund will be issued.
• Visit the Ottawa Hand in Hand web page for information on available financial supports to facilitate participation in recreation and culture programs.
• Please check-in at the Train Station (adjacent to the parking lot) on arrival at the museum. The pathways between buildings are packed gravel.
• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum by phone at 613-580-2988 or by email at museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca(link opens email application). Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum web page.

Initiation au travail du cuir ( "Introduction to leatherworking" - presented in French )

July 6 from 1 pm to 5 pm
Ages 16 and up
Cost: $102.95 + tax (per person)
Advance registration is required(link is external)

Learn the basics of leather work and create your own journal slipcover under the guidance of a skilled artisan. In this beginner-friendly workshop, you will layout, emboss, and stitch a heritage style slipcover that will fit a 4 x 6 notebook. Supplies are included in the cost of registration. Light refreshments will be served. 

Notes:

• The primary language of delivery for this program is French.
• Advance registration is required. Workshops with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If an alternative cannot be offered, a refund will be issued.
• Visit the Ottawa Hand in Hand web page for information on available financial supports to facilitate participation in recreation and culture programs.
• Please check-in at the Train Station (adjacent to the parking lot) on arrival at the museum. The pathways between buildings are packed gravel.
• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum by phone at 613-580-2988 or by email at museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca(link opens email application). Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum web page.

Introduction to bookbinding

July 12 and August 17 from 1 pm to 5 pm
Ages 16 and up
Cost: $77.21 + tax (per person)
Advance registration is required(link is external).

This hands-on introduction to single Coptic stitch bookbinding is perfect for beginners and provides a solid foundation to inspire future projects. In this workshop, you will create your very own artistic and functional 4” x 6” notebook (approximately 80 pages). The notebook will lay flat when open and will feature an open-end (visible) binding allowing for a clear view of the spine as well as simple cover boards. Supplies are included in the cost of registration. Light refreshments will be served.

Notes:

• The primary language of delivery for this program is English.
• Advance registration is required. Workshops with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If an alternative cannot be offered, a refund will be issued.
• Visit the Ottawa Hand in Hand web page for information on available financial supports to facilitate participation in recreation and culture programs.
• Please check-in at the Train Station (adjacent to the parking lot) on arrival at the museum. The pathways between buildings are packed gravel.
• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum by phone at 613-580-2988 or by email at museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca(link opens email application). Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum web page.

Introduction to letterpress printing

July 19 and August 31 from 1 pm to 5 pm
Ages 16 and up
Cost: $102.95 + tax (per person)
Advance registration is required(link is external)

Discover the tactile beauty of letterpress printing in an introductory workshop that will guide you through the history, tools and techniques of the trade. You’ll learn how to set type, mix ink and operate a letterpress machine, to design and print bookmarks that reflect your unique style. This workshop is well suited for both beginners and hobbyists with an interest in traditional printing techniques. Supplies for this project are included in the cost of registration. Light refreshments will be served.

Notes:

• The primary language of delivery for this program is English.
• Advance registration is required. Workshops with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If an alternative cannot be offered, a refund will be issued.
• Visit the Ottawa Hand in Hand web page for information on available financial supports to facilitate participation in recreation and culture programs.
• Please check-in at the Train Station (adjacent to the parking lot) on arrival at the museum. The pathways between buildings are packed gravel.
• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum by phone at 613-580-2988 or by email at museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca(link opens email application). Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum web page.

Firefighter Day

Saturday, June 7 from 11 am to 4 pm
Free admission

Join Ottawa Fire Services at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum for a day of family-friendly fun! While on site, discover all that Cumberland Heritage Village Museum has to offer. Explore life in a 1920s and 30s rural village, visit the farm animals, see demonstrations of heritage skills and trades, and check out the museum’s Fire Hall exhibition, featuring a 1927 fire truck. Admission to the museum is free on June 7 and June 8 as part of Doors Open Ottawa.

Activities include:

• Water ball
• Bucket brigade
• Vehicle extraction (Jaws of life)
• Grease fire simulator
• Sparky
• Touch a truck
• Children’s firefighter challenge
• Firefighter combat challenge
• Tug of war
• Learn how to use a fire extinguisher

Don't forget to bring a towel!

Doors Open Ottawa

Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 from 10 am to 5 pm
Free admission

Visit Ottawa’s very own living history museum! Discover daily life in a 1920s and 30s rural village, explore true-to-era buildings, say hello to the farm animals, and see demonstrations of heritage trades and skills. Heritage activities and demonstrations take place at regular intervals between 10 am and 3 pm.

Note: On Saturday, June 7 the museum is hosting Firefighter Day (11 am to 4 pm). Supplementary programming will be offered by Ottawa Fire Services including equipment and skill demonstrations. Please anticipate larger crowds and loud noises. Admission to this event is free as part of Doors Open Ottawa.

Father’s Day Craft

Sunday, June 15 from 10 am to 3 pm
Regular admission fees apply. 

Treat dad, or the special father figure in your family’s life, to a day out at Ottawa’s very own living history museum. See heritage trades and vintage equipment in action as you explore a 1920s and 30s rural village. Kids are invited to get creative and paint a special souvenir watercolour greeting card for their role model. Don’t forget to say hi to all the farm animals! 

Vintage Vehicle Experience

Sunday, July 13 from 10 am to 4 pm 
Cost: Adult - $9.14; Senior (ages 65 and up) - $6.47; Student (valid full-time student ID required) - $6.47; Youth (ages 6 to 17) - $6.47; Child (ages 5 and under) - Free; Family (Up to two adults, and accompanying children, all living in the same household) - $23.15. 

Explore the rapid design and mechanical advancements made during the earliest years of the automotive era! Chat with car owners and see partially restored, restored, and un-restored vehicles from before 1940. Discover how Ford Model T and Model A cars transformed over the 20s and 30s.Take a ride around the village in a vintage vehicle (weather and conditions permitting). 

Register to participate in the show with your vehicle 

If you are interested in registering to participate in this event with your pre-1940 vehicle, please contact emmanuel.doucet@ottawa.ca(link opens email application) for further information. 

Notes

• This program takes place rain or shine. Please dress for weather conditions, including proper footwear for uneven, grassy, or gravel terrain. 

• As many of the vehicles are owned by community members, the number of participating vehicles may vary throughout the day (or be impacted by inclement weather). 

• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum at 613-580-2988 or by email at museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca(link opens email application). Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum webpage. 

“Murder is a Shore Thing” – Murder mystery brunch

Sunday, August 24 from 10:30 am to 1 pm
Ages 14 and up
Cost: $50 per person (plus tax). Brunch is included in the ticket price.
Advance registration is required.(link is external)

Unleash your inner detective and solve the case! Enjoy an unforgettable day of intrigue and suspense while exploring the immersive setting at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. Work together with family and friends to piece together all the clues before time runs out. A buffet-style brunch, featuring a menu of classic and delicious breakfast foods, will be served.

“Murder is a Shore Thing” (performed by Vintage Stock Theatre): It’s 1923 and Cumberland village is growing. If you have your ear to the ground, you know there’s talk of changes along the shore of the river for the Maple Marina. There are also whisperings of treasure and contraband. Will these rumours lead to murder? Come and discover the truth behind the gossip.

Notes

• The performance is delivered in English.
• Doors open at 10 am. The performance begins 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.
• Advance registration is required. Your registration is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, contact the museum at 613-580-2988 or museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca(link opens email application). Additional information regarding accessibility is found on the museum webpage.

Barn Dance

Saturday, August 30 from 6 pm to 9 pm
Cost: $50 plus tax (ages 15 and up); $25 plus tax (ages 3 to 14). 
Advance registration is required.(link is external) Dinner is included in the ticket price.

Step back in time to the 1920s and 30s and enjoy an evening of dinner and dancing at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. Treat yourself to a delicious roast supper and live music by local musicians. Put on your dancing shoes and hit the dance floor as our guest caller takes you through the steps for an authentic barn dance experience. Immerse yourself in the ambiance of the era-appropriate museum grounds for a truly unique evening out with friends and family.

Notes

• Alcohol is not served at the museum; smoking and vaping are prohibited on site.
• All children must be accompanied by an adult. 
• Don’t forget your dancing shoes!
• Free parking is available on site (2940 Old Montreal Road, Cumberland). The museum is not serviced by OC Transpo. Please keep this in mind when planning your transportation to and from the event.
• Be sure to check the forecast and dress for weather conditions. The dinner and dance will take place in a semi-enclosed space (picnic shelter, marquee tent, gazebo). Layers are recommended as temperatures may dip later in the evening.
• Advance registration is required. Your registration is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, contact the museum at 6130580-2988 or museecumberlandmuseum@ottawa.ca(link opens email application). Additional information regarding accessibility is found on the museum webpage.

Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers

May 25, June 29, July 27, August 31 and September 28 from 11 am to 3 pm
Regular admission fees apply

All aboard! The Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers(link is external) 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!

*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 field trip (schools, summer camps, etc.)

Visit Ottawa’s own heritage village for your next field trip. At Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, children will experience daily life in rural Eastern Ontario during the 1920s and 30s. Explore the village through interactive demonstrations and self-guided, curriculum-based (school groups with kids K-6) or age-appropriate (non-school groups with kids ages 3 to 12) activities. Enjoy a tractor-pulled wagon ride (weather dependent), reserved picnic seating for lunch, and a drink and snack for each child.  

Cost per child: $6.46 taxes included. A one to seven (1:7) adult to child ratio is required. There is no charge for adult chaperones.  

Availability: Mid-May to Thanksgiving. Heritage demonstrations, wagon rides, and canteen services are offered between 10 am and 3 pm. Visiting groups are welcome to use the grounds for self-guided activities between 10 am and 5 pm.

New! Online booking form(link is external). 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 ("Your health and safety" and "Other items to be aware of").

• When completing the booking form, please use the address field to provide the museum with the name of the school/camp/group and the grade (or age) of the children.

• 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.

Your health and safety

1. Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is mainly an outdoor facility. This means that there is uneven ground consisting of grassy terrain, hard packed dirt or gravel pathways, and some exposed tree roots.
2. It is important to dress for the weather. Extreme weather conditions might require the adjustment of activities, up to and including the cancellation of certain activities. For more information, please visit the Ottawa Public Health webpage on sun(link is external) and hot weather(link is external).
3. When visiting, it is possible that wasps, ticks, and other pests may be present. Please do not wander into long grass or under bushes. For more information, please visit the Ottawa Public Health webpage on ticks(link is external).
4. The museum hosts heritage breed animals. For your safety and theirs, please do not touch or feed the animals.
5. Do not eat any vegetables, herbs, apples, or berries found on site. Some are unsafe for consumption and can be difficult to identify.
6. Please notify the museum of any allergy concerns prior to your visit.
7. 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(link opens email application).
2. Please do not bring food or open drinks, other than water, into the buildings. Outdoor picnic areas are available.
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 the staff that you have arrived. Please note that the building may not be open before 10 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(link opens email application).

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.

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.

The museums are not currently accepting new volunteers. If you have any questions about the volunteer program or would like to be notified when volunteering resumes, please contact MuseeCumberlandMuseum@ottawa.ca(link opens email application).

A vintage rural setting with dozens of historic and true-to-era buildings, acres of greenspace, and gardens provide a nostalgic and picturesque backdrop for your special events.

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

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.

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.