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.

2100 Cabot Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1H 6K1

Tel.: 613-580-2088
Fax: 613-247-4832
Email: museums@ottawa.ca
Facebook: @BillingsEstate
Instagram: @BillingsEstateMuseum
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Hours of operation

Winter hours:
Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm

Closed:

• March 27 to April 4 (reopening April 5), with the exception of special events.
• May 1 to May 14 (reopening May 15), with the exception of special events.

General admission 

• Adult - $7.59
• Students and seniors - $6.28
• Play free: free general admission for children and youth (aged 17 and under) and accompanying adults.

*Please note that registration or admission fees may apply for programs and special events. 

Mother's Day Tea

Sunday, May 12 with seatings at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. 
Cost: $24.15 per person. *Reservations are now full. A waitlist is being maintained. 

Share a special Mother’s Day experience with your loved ones. The beautiful grounds at the historic Billings Estate National Historic Site provide a unique backdrop as you enjoy a delicious three-tier tea service to celebrate the maternal-figures in your life. Following tea, step inside the museum to learn more about the Billings family. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience our latest temporary exhibition, Steeped in Traditions: Ottawa Tea Cultures and Rituals. Admission to the museum is included in the tea price.

Tea service includes: 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.

Reservations

1. Reservations open April 10 at 10 am. We anticipate interest in this program will exceed capacity. A waitlist will be maintained. To request a reservation, please call 613-580-2088 ext. 35258 and leave a message including the following information:

• name
• phone number
• email address
• number of seats you would like to reserve. The maximum reservation size is 10. Large groups will be split between tables of 4 and 6. Due to the layout of the space, tables cannot be pushed together and large groups cannot be guaranteed neighbouring tables.
• preferred date and seating time
• food allergies or dietary restrictions (e.g., vegan or gluten-free). We will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions identified during the reservation confirmation process but cannot guarantee a fully allergen-free environment and may be limited in some instances by the availability of fresh ingredients. Regrettably, last minute requests for accommodations at the time of service cannot be met.

2.  Your message will be returned in timely manner; we appreciate your patience as our staff process the high volume of calls. Reservations will be confirmed in the order messages are received. After your reservation is confirmed over the phone, you will have one week to visit the museum (2100 Cabot Street) to complete advance payment for your seating. If payment is not completed in that timeframe, the reservation will be offered to the next guest(s) on the waitlist. The museum will be open to accept payments Wednesday – Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Cash, credit, and debit are accepted.

Notes:

• This event takes place outdoors under a tent; guests should dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for grass and gravel terrain.
• 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. Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum web page. The "Steeped in Traditions" exhibition is located on the second floor of the museum and is only accessible by stairs. Visual aids will be available for those unable to access the exhibition.

Steeped in Traditions: Ottawa Tea Cultures and Rituals

February 28, 2024 to October 13, 2024
See museum hours and admission to plan your visit

Steeped in Traditions: Ottawa Tea Cultures and Rituals explores the history, traditions, and aesthetics of our region’s varied tea cultures. The exhibition celebrates human connections to community and the natural environment through the lens of tea consumption. Residents and cultural organizations are contributing to this exhibition by sharing their own stories, photographs, and tea-related objects. In combination with artefacts from the City of Ottawa Museums and Historic Sites collection, these personal touches highlight the commonalities found in this shared daily ritual as well as the unique values and practices of Ottawa’s diverse communities.

Note: This exhibition is located on the second floor of the museum and is only accessible by stairs. Visual aids will be available for those unable to access the exhibition. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum at 613-580-2088 or by email at museums@ottawa.ca. Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum webpage.

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 15, 2024 through September 1, 2024.
Seatings available at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. 
Reservations open April 24, 2024. Details coming soon. 

When offered, seasonal or themed tea events are listed under “Programs and special events.”

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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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 manoeuvring a wheelchair

Signage

• Directional signs
• High contrast signage
• Large lettering

Washrooms

• Accessible washrooms on 1st 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.