Billings Estate National Historic Site

The Billings family settled on the shores of the Rideau River in 1812 and took an active role in shaping the community as it evolved over time and until the 1970s when they left the estate. They helped build farms and churches, ran a dairy operation, and contributed to the development of the Byward Market by providing produce for sale and building the "Farmers' Bridge".

This National Historic Site on 8 acres of green space is also home to one of Ottawa's oldest community cemeteries where well-known Ottawa pioneers, such as the Evans, Brouse and Firth families, are laid to rest.

Can You Dig It?

July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, August 7, August 14, August 21 and August 28 from 10:30 am to noon
Ages 8 to 11
Cost: $7.56 per child
Advance registration is required.(link is external) Registration opens May 15 at 9 pm.

Learn to dig for artefacts, identify mysterious objects and use techniques that scientists use every day. Inspired by Canada’s first paleontologist, Elkanah Billings, kids will get their hands dirty like Indiana Jones in a simulated excavation site at one of Ottawa's historic homes.

Themes

The four weekly themes and their content repeat each month.

• Archeology (July 2 and August 7)
  Dig into archeology! Learn about the Billings family and identify the artefacts you find. 
• Geology (July 9 and August 14)
  Unearth the secrets of our natural history and identify geological samples.
• Paleontology (July 16 and August 21)
  Discover the world of plant and animal fossils.
• Beyond the Pit (July 23 and August 28)
  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.
• 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.
• Activities take place on the museum grounds which include grassy and uneven terrain. The simulated dig site is at ground level, but activities can be modified for table-top access. Accessible washrooms are available on the ground floor of the museum. If you have questions or concerns about accessibility, please contact 613-580-2088 or museums@ottawa.ca(link opens email application).
• Sessions with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If the session cannot be rescheduled, a refund will be issued.

Time Travellers

July 3, July 10, July 17, July 24, August 6, August 13, August 20, and August 27 from 10:30 am to noon.
Ages 5 to 7.
Cost: $7.56 per child.
Advance registration is required.(link is external) Registration opens May 15 at 9 pm.

Step back in time and discover all the museum has to offer! Kids will explore the museum inside and out, while tackling projects inspired by day-to-day life on the Billings family farm. Each week they’ll explore different heritage chores, skills, and pastimes through fun, hands-on activities.

Themes

The four weekly themes and their content repeat each month.

• Botany (July 3 and August 6)
  One of the Billings family members is feeling unwell. Use Lamira’s remedies and ingredients from her garden to help get them back on their feet.
• Bugs (July 10 and August 13)
  Investigate the insects living around the house and grounds, then build a bug hotel for the Estate’s garden.
• Building (July 17 and August 20)
  How did Billings Bridge get its name? Construct a bridge and test its strength.
• Butter (July 24 and August 27)
  Explore the Billings family’s legacy as dairy farmers and learn how to make butter.

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. Accessible washrooms are available on the ground floor of the museum. If you have questions or concerns about accessibility, please contact 613-580-2088 or museums@ottawa.ca(link opens email application).
• Sessions with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If the session cannot be rescheduled, a refund will be issued.

Tea on the Lawn

Complement your visit to Billings Estate National Historic Site with Tea on the Lawn. Enjoy tea and freshly baked goods alongside our beautiful gardens. Heritage staff are happy to highlight the unique history of the estate, making Tea on the Lawn a memorable addition to your museum experience.

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from May 14, 2025 through August 31, 2025 (excluding June 15) with seatings at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm.
Reservations are required. (link is external)

2025 menu and prices

Three-tier service for one: $21.31 (taxes included) 
Pot of tea; finger sandwiches; scone with butter and jam; desserts. Admission to the museum for one visitor is included.

Substitute gluten-free options: $3.49 (taxes included)
Add Devon cream: $3.49 (taxes included)

Tea and scone: $6.57 (taxes included)

Substitute gluten-free options: $1.16 (taxes included)
Add Devon cream: $3.49 (taxes included)

Reservations

Request your reservation online(link is external) beginning April 9, 2025 at 10 am. Reservation requests should be made no later than 4 pm on the Sunday prior to your desired visit. If your preferred date does not appear as an option when completing the online request form, reservations are full for that date (or otherwise unavailable).  

Please note that submitting a reservation request does not mean your booking is confirmed. A member of staff will follow up with you by email to confirm your reservation. Reservations are filled in the order requests are received.

If you require assistance with your Tea on the Lawn reservation, please email BillingsEstateTea@ottawa.ca(link opens email application) or call 613-580-2088 ext. 35258.

Notes:

• Large groups: Reservations of 7 or more guests must be confirmed by the tearoom coordinator (call 613-580-2088 ext. 35258). Groups will be seated at tables of four or six. To keep pathways clear, tables cannot be pushed together.
• Allergies: We will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions identified during the reservation process but cannot ensure an environment free from all risk of cross-contamination. Regrettably, we cannot guarantee to meet last minute requests for accommodations at the time of service. If your allergy or dietary needs change, please contact the museum in advance of your seating to update your reservation.
• Accessibility: Tea on the Lawn is served outside under an open-sided tent with a stone floor which may be rough or uneven in some areas. A passenger drop-off and pick-up zone is available in front of the lobby entrance. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please inform staff at the time of reservation or contact the museum by email at BillingsEstateTea@ottawa.ca(link opens email application). Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum webpage.
• Weather: In the rare event that weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances necessitate the cancellation of Tea on the Lawn, all guests will be contacted directly with further information.

Picnic on the museum grounds

Visitors are welcome to bring their own snacks and picnic on the museum grounds. To preserve the artefacts in the museum, no eating or drinking is permitted in the exhibition spaces. Outside food is also not permitted in the tent where Tea on the Lawn is served.

Beyond Billings: Stories and Belonging(s)

April 23 to October 10, 2025
Regular admission fees apply

“Beyond Billings” showcases a selection of belongings from the Billings Estate National Historic Site collection chosen by 12 individual curators from the Carleton University Curatorial Studies program (CURA 5001). “Beyond Billings” explores how museum objects are perceived from different viewpoints. Each object, highlighted as a vignette, sparks new questions about the Billings family and how they lived, while also inviting you to consider the life of the item beyond its arrival to the Billings family.

The exhibition is located on the second floor of the house which is accessible by stairs only. A visual guide is available to visitors who cannot access the second floor. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum at 613-580-2088 or by email at museums@ottawa.ca(link opens email application). 

Artefact collections

A large portion of the Billings Estate National Historic Site artefact collection received Canadian Cultural Property designation in 1996 because of its significance as material evidence of the historic development of the nation's capital. The eclectic collection contains more than 27,000 artefacts - many of which are on exhibition at the museum - that belonged to the family and their neighbours, including furniture, household goods, personal possessions, an extensive library, tools, entomological specimens, agricultural equipment and a 1959 Cadillac. 

Exhibitions

The museum's exhibitions are designed to tell the stories of the estate and the community's evolution over more than 150 years, beginning in 1812 when the Billings family settled on the Rideau River.

Permanent exhibition - The Billings Family Story

Always at the museum is our permanent exhibition that explores the story of pioneers carving out from the wilderness a new life, the progress of relationships and families through good times and bad, the history of industry and agriculture in the area, and the community that grew over the years.

Interactive features like a touch-screen family tree, audio recordings of poetry readings and the Oath of Allegiance, as well as radio programs from days long gone by round out the experience, with telescopes showing a peek into the past. We've made sure there's a scavenger hunt for our young visitors, too. An accessible audio tour is also available.

Billings Family virtual exhibition 

The Billings Family virtual exhibit Opens in a new tab or window(link is external), presented by the City of Ottawa Archives, gives a view of the Billings Family and their interactions with the growing city center of Ottawa and Billings Bridge Village. The histories are written from the perspective of one family’s experiences and activities, within the context of Ottawa’s development as a city.

Reminiscent of a country estate, the nearly 200-year-old manor house and surrounding eight acres of landscaped greenspace and gardens provide a picturesque and historical backdrop for your special event.

For more information, please contact our Customer Service Booking Clerk. Call 613-580-2088 or email museums@ottawa.ca(link opens email application).

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 museums@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 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
  • 2 designated parking spaces 
  • Accessible path of travel from the parking lot to entrance
  • 100 metres from parking space to the door
• Passenger Loading Zone
  • Access aisle
• Entrance/Exit
  • 2 accessible entrances (Main House and Tombstone Garage)
  • Ramp
  • Wide door for wheelchair passage
  • Automatic door opener
  • Direct access to the main floor, lobby
• Interior
  • Accessible seating available
  • Wheelchair available for patrons
• Reception desks
  • Accessible counters
  • Floor area for maneuvering a wheelchair
• Signage
  • Directional signs
  • High contrast signage
  • Large lettering
• Washrooms
  • Accessible washrooms on first floor
  • Large stalls to allow transfers
• Telephone
  • Volume control
  • Accessible path
• Museums, galleries, and archives
  • 2 exhibition spaces are accessible
  • Good visibility for patrons in wheelchairs
  • Interpretive labels or panels in large font

Learn more about Inclusive Recreation and accessible services.