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.

Easter at the Estate

April 19 and 20 from 10 am to 4 pm
Cost: $22.43 (taxes included) per group. Maximum of 6 people per group; children under 2 years of age are not counted toward the maximum group size.
Advance registration is required. (link is external)

Spring has arrived on the Billings family farm! Join us at the museum to explore our community’s heritage with fun, hands-on family activities. Complete an easter craft, challenge friends and family to an egg and spoon race, exercise your green thumb with a planting-inspired activity, meet some animal friends from the Zoo Crew, and more! Activities are best suited for children ages 3 to 8; younger or older siblings are also welcome to join the fun.

Notes:

• This program will be delivered primarily in English. Bilingual (English/French) staff may be present to assist visitors and all printed materials will be provided in both languages.
• Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• This program runs rain or shine and takes place both indoors and outdoors. Please check the forecast and dress for weather conditions, including proper footwear for wet, snowy, or muddy conditions. In the event of inclement weather, activities are subject to change. 
• All reasonable attempts will be made to ensure any candies or chocolate distributed as part of this program are nut free. However, we cannot guarantee a 100% nut free environment.
• If you have event participation questions due to disability or have concerns regarding the accessibility of the event, please contact the museum by phone at 613-580-2088 or by email at museums@ottawa.ca(link opens email application). Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum web page.

Mother’s Day Tea 

Sunday, May 11 with seatings at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm 
Cost: $32.04 per person (taxes included) 
Reservations are required. New! Online reservation request form opens Tuesday, April 1 at 10 am.  

Share a special Mother’s Day experience with your loved ones. The beautiful grounds at Billings Estate National Historic Site provide a unique backdrop as you enjoy a delicious three-tier service. Following tea, step inside the museum to learn more about the Billings family and explore the temporary exhibition, shining a new perspective on artefacts from the Billings collection. Admission to the museum is included in the tea price.  

Tea service includes a pot of tea, finger sandwiches, scone with butter and jam, and a selection of mini desserts. All menu items are prepared or baked in-house with fresh ingredients.  

Before requesting a reservation, please review the following: 

• We anticipate interest in this program will exceed capacity and that reservations will fill quickly. Once reservations are full, a waitlist will be maintained. We encourage visitors to also consider our Tea on the Lawn service. Tea on the Lawn is offered from May 14 to August 31. The online reservation request form for Tea on the Lawn opens April 9.
• The maximum reservation size is 6 guests.
• Guests are seated at tables in groups of 4 or 6. To ensure pathways are clear, tables cannot be pushed together and additional chairs cannot be added to a table. Smaller groups will be seated at a shared table. We encourage guests to break the ice with new friends over a cup of tea.
• Mother’s Day Tea is served outside under the cover of a tent. The first seating area is accessed by a paved pathway and has a stone floor. The second seating area has a grass floor and is accessed by crossing the lawn. Please let us know on the reservation request form if you require seating in the first area for accessibility.
• A passenger drop-off and pick-up zone is available in front of the lobby entrance. Parking is available on site.
• The temporary exhibition on the second floor of the museum is accessed by stairs only.
• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum by email at museums@ottawa.ca(link opens email application).  

Reservations 

To request a reservation, submit the online form beginning Tuesday, April 1 at 10 am.  Reservations are filled in the order requests are received.  Reservations fill quickly and we are unable to guarantee a reservation to every visitor who submits a request form for this event. A waitlist will be maintained. We will respond to all requests in a timely manner. Thank you for your patience as we process the high volume of reservation requests.  

A staff person will follow up with you by email to review your request. If you are offered a reservation, you will receive information on how to complete the advance payment online. If advance payment is not completed by the indicated deadline, the reservation will be offered to the next group on the waitlist. Your reservation is not confirmed until advance payment has been received. 

If you require assistance with the reservation process, please contact 613-580-2088 ext. 35258 or email BillingsEstateTea@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.