bytown museum

I can’t believe I’ve lived in Ottawa as long as I have and never been in here before. Shame on me. I used one of the Ottawa Public library’s Museum Passes which provides regular admission for a family of 5 (max. 3 adults) to one of 10 local museums, including the Bytown Museum.For a small local museum, this is very well done. I’ll be sure to suggest it to out of town visitors. Good story telling about the history of the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Lieutenant Colonel By, the assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee, and much much more. Be sure to take the audio guide, it’s well produced and worth the 45 minutes.

This museum has a large amount of well-preserved historical info. It's worth the walk down the hill! Very interesting exhibits and good staff.

The Bytwon museum is a very old small building that houses items that belonged to the man who created Ottawa as we know it. Because of all the items preserved and what the building was used as it is said to be haunted (added trhill). I am not bothered so much by that, it is more a room inside. It has dolls, hundreds, all starring back at you through a glass wall. FREAKY! but great for history buffs.

A great way to learn the history of the Rideau Canal. The museum offered snacks and souvenirs as well. the staff were pleasant and helpful. The building itself is worthwhile visiting as it is one of the oldest structures in the city

We visited during the haunted walk at Halloween it was a lot of fun to learn the history of the bytown museum and maybe just maybe we actually heard a ghost!

We found this museum while admiring the locks, having been at the other end of the canal at Kingston a week ago.Spent a couple of hours here with some well set out artefacts, and very interesting audio visuals, based on photos and pictures. It really set the scene. Less than 200 years ago Ottawa did not exist - just swamp and trees. Then along came Lt Col By to build the canal, and set up the town - Bytown - and then the voracious demand for timber for ships, building and paper fuelled the rapid expansion into what is now a lovely city.We were the only people on the 1st and 2nd floors, so could linger and enjoy.Great value for €6.50.

This area takes on a different look depending on the season you visit. In the summer and early fall it is several streets full of local merchants selling their goods, some edible, some not. It really is a must experience in your visit to Ottawa.

Small and friendly museum. Very interesting history of the Rideau canal. Well worth a visit. Suitable for all ages

Excellent display of items, stories and photographs of Bytown and Ottawa including WW1. There are also videos of the museum and its history. The view from the locks outside is stunning as well as the statue of Colonel By through the window.

Great place for when you are feeling overwhelmed by the national narrative and want to step into Ottawa's local history. They have the wax cast of the hand of D'arcy McGee! As well as other Victorian funeral oddities and a working model of the locks so you can see how they work without waiting the 20 minutes it takes to put an actual boat through.

This museum is housed in the oldest stone building in Ottawa, and although small, packs ALOT of history! Well worth the visit along side the locks of the Rideau canal. The admission price includes heat sets in multiple languages to walk you through the display, or you can download them from their website to play on your own device, in advance. They offer treasure hunts for kids,and the whole ground floor is dedicated to the history of the building of the Rideau Canal and is FREE. The admission is for the 2nd and 3rd floors, and well worth it.

I was impressed by this small museum, which details the early days of Ottawa, when it was known as Bytown. I took advantage of the free audio guide and was glad I did. It was fun to find out what was going on before Ottawa became the capital and the years thereafter. I'm glad I took the time to see the museum and visit the locks.

The locks (which are the reason for Colonel By coming to North America) amazed me, especially considering where and when they were constructed. The By Museum displays Ottawa's English story in an engaging way with appropriate artifacts. The voice recording is well-paced. It starts with England's perceived need for an alternative to the St. Lawrence River for defensive reasons. (We Americans are still invading, in ones and twos!) So begins the history of the wonderful city that Ottawa is today. The museum contains much detail, but the narrative is never weighted down.

If your are unsure where it is, make sure to look for it! It's just a tiny little building but it's cute for what it is. There aren't a lot of exhibits as it is small, is a self guided tour and really not worth $6.50. The surrounding area is really pretty for pictures though!

The Bytown museum is a small little building at the base of Parliament Hill and the Chateau Laurier that you must visit. The museum has unique artifacts about the history of Ottawa and Ottawa's place in Canadian history. Great views of the Ottawa River and surrounding area. The tour guides are very knowledgeable as well.