Central Archives, James K. Bartleman Centre
As of March 2022, the City of Ottawa Archives remains open to the public by appointment only (in-person or virtual). Walk-in clients may be required to wait for an available appointment.
The Central Archives is the largest branch of the City of Ottawa Archives. Located in the James K. Bartleman Centre, the Central Archives has 4 climate-controlled vaults, a conservation lab and a gallery. This state-of-the-art facility opened to the public in June 2011, and won the Ontario Association of Architects Award for Design excellence in May 2012. It received LEED Gold certification in the same year.
Researchers can search the historical collections and have access to the collections kept in the vaults; while, the reference room features a non-circulating library with books about local history and the libraries of our partner organizations.
James K. Bartleman Centre
100 Tallwood Drive (Corner of Woodroffe)
Ottawa, Ontario
Hours of Operation
Tuesday to Friday: 9 am to 4 pm
Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday and Monday: Closed
Tel.: 613-580-2857
Fax: 613-580-2614
Email: archives@ottawa.ca
Holiday closures 2024
- March 29 to April 1
- May 18 to 20
- June 29 to July 1
- August 3 to 5
- August 31 to September 2
- September 28 to 30
- October 12 to 14
- November 9 to 11
- December 23 to January 4, 2025
Mailing address
City of Ottawa Archives c/o City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1J1
Mail Code: 443
Accessibility information
100 Tallwood Drive
Nepean, ON
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 accessible parking spaces
- Accessible path of travel from the parking lot to entrance with access aisle
- 7 metres from parking space to the door
Passenger Loading Zone
- Access isle
- Cut curb
- Hazard indicator
Entrance/Exit
- 2 accessible entrances/doors
- Accessible entrances clearly marked
- Wide door (with power door opener) for wheelchair passage
- Direct access to the main floor, lobby, elevator
- Power door operator
Interior
- Power door access to all public areas of the facility
- Public spaces are on accessible path of travel
- Ramps and elevators to all levels
- Accessible seating available
Reception desks
- Accessible counters
- Floor area for maneuvering a wheelchair
- Swipe access accessible from wheelchair
Floor Surfaces
- Slip resistant surfaces
Signage
- Directional signs
- Tactile signage
- High contrast signage
- “Way Finding”
- Large lettering
Washrooms
- On all floors
- Lowered sink counters
- Lowered soap dispensers
- Lowered towel dispensers
- Lowered hand dryers
- Lowered drinking fountains
- Large stalls to allow transfers
Elevator/Lift
- Access to all floors
- Located at the main entrance
- Doorway width is accessible
- Visible door opening/closing and door indicators
- Outside and inside controls have raised and Braille lettering
Telephone
- In an accessible area
- Public phone is hearing aid compatible
- Adapted with volume control
Stairs
- Continuous hand rails on both sides
- Treads have a no slip surface
- Colour contrast
Archives
- Exhibition spaces are accessible
- Videos captioned
- Program information available in different formats
- Interpretive labels/panels in large fonts and situated at an appropriate height for people using a wheelchair
Rideau Archives
Built in 1876, the historic Town Hall of the former Township of North Gower has been home to the Rideau Archives since 1990. The archival collections, documenting the history of rural south Ottawa, include the records of local businesses, families, buildings, community organizations, churches and schools in the townships of Marlborough and North Gower. The Reading Room also offers a non-circulating collection of published works on local history and Canadiana, family histories, community histories, military history and heritage and local cookbooks. This 3,000 volume collection is growing rapidly. Rideau Archives is staffed by volunteers, most from the local community or connected with Rideau Township Historical Society.
6581 Fourth Line Road
North Gower, Ontario
Tel.: 613-489-2926
Email: rideauarchives@ottawa.ca
Hours: Tuesday: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Mailing address
City of Ottawa Archives
100 Tallwood Drive
Ottawa,Ontario
K2G 6J9
Mail Code: 443
Accessibility information – Rideau Archives
6581 Fourth Line Road
Ottawa (North Gower), ON
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. The building is a designated heritage building.
Parking
- No parking spaces associated with this facility
- Street parking is available in front of the facility
- Accessible path of travel from the street/sidewalk to entrance
Passenger Loading Zone
- No loading zones associated with this facility
- Loading is available in front of the facility
Entrance/Exit
- Accessible entrances at front of building off street and at side, entering from North Gower Branch, Ottawa Public Library
- Wide door at front for wheelchair passage
- Direct access to the main floor
Interior
- Public spaces are on accessible path of travel
- Accessible seating available
- Facility is single storey
- Floor area for maneuvering a wheelchair
Signage
- Directional signs
Washrooms
- This facility shares washrooms with the North Gower Branch, Ottawa Public Library
- Washrooms are on main level
- Lowered sink counters
- Lowered soap dispensers
- Washroom space allows transfers
- Men’s washroom has fold-down infant change table
Telephone
- No public telephone at this facility
Exhibits and Archives
- All exhibition spaces are accessible
- Program information available in different formats
Learn more about special needs and accessible services.
Gloucester Research Centre
The City of Ottawa Archives will be closing its Gloucester Archives branch at 4550-B Bank St. at the end of this year.
All services from this branch will be integrated into the Central Archives at the James Bartleman Centre, located at 100 Tallwood Drive.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Gloucester Historical Society for their many years of volunteer service alongside our professional archivists. The Gloucester site, known as the Grace Johnston History Room, has been serving the public since 2002, offering access and satellite services.
Appointments previously available at the Gloucester site will now be offered at the James Bartleman Centre.
For information about corporate records from the Township of Gloucester, including tax assessment rolls, council minutes, by-laws, photos and maps, please contact the Central Archives at (613) 580-2857 or email archives@ottawa.ca.