Bytown Museum (https://bytownmuseum.ca/en/)
1 Canal Lane, $9 admission
Wednesday – Saturday: 11 am – 4 pm
This place is a great stop for an Ottawa history enthusiast. It’s right next to the end of the canal, wedged between the Chateau Laurier and Parliament Hill, though the stairs down to that gulch might be a bit precarious for some. You can see the locks and the Rideau Canal Celtic Cross (Irish labourer’s monument), and the statues of Parliament Hill and the statues of the Valiants at the top of the stairs. There’s a lot nearby, not to mention the museum itself.
The museum is one of the oldest stone buildings in the Ottawa area, and it acted as the commissary for the canal diggers, so the building itself has historical value beyond its contents. The first floor has some exhibits on the construction of the canal, as well as the building, and on the day that I visited, there were also costumes on display from the days of Colonel By.
The second floor is dedicated to Bytown, allegedly the most violent city in British North America. There are exhibits on the lumber trade, an early nursing college, as well as some panels dedicated to some of the prominent citizens of the day, including Thomas McCay and John By. This floor focusses on the Bytown years, from 1800-1857, including the War of 1812.
The third floor has a collection dedicated to early Ottawa, going as far as the First World War. Lots of artefacts and panel descriptions of when the city first became the capital, and the Great Fire of 1900.
Throughout the building, there’s a regular aesthetic. Wood and stone predominate, as do earth tones. This building has the feel of days gone by and has an ambiance that you can feel. This is added upon when you consider the history sites adjacent. I spent about an hour there, and it was time well spent. It wouldn’t be to everyone’s liking, but since it’s not a huge commitment of time or money, I’d be comfortable recommending a stop here to be included with any tourist’s visit. For locals who have yet to visit, put it on your itinerary for your next trip downtown.
