Nepean Museum

The Nepean Museum is a space where kids and families can learn and explore together. The exhibition gallery showcases Nepean’s history through a series of changing exhibits. With many fun hands-on events, programs and exhibitions, you’ll find lots to discover together.

Weekend Crafters

May 18, June 22, July 6, July 20, August 3, August 17 and September 21 from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Cost: pay-what-you-can

Play, tinker, and create at Nepean Museum’s MakerStudio! Families are invited to get crafty with drop-in activities inspired by local history. We’re switching up the craft and themed scavenger hunt at each session to explore the permanent exhibition from new perspectives!

May 18 - Leaf and flower prints
June 22 - Garden wind chimes
July 6 - To be confirmed
July 20 - Glitter snow globes
August 3 - Lego printmaking
August 17 - To be confirmed
September 21 - Metal stamp keychains

Notes:

• This is a drop-in style program; families are welcome to join the activities at any time during the advertised hours. Please note that the craft activity can only be offered as long as supplies last.
• Weekend Crafters is best suited to families with children ages 6 to 12. However, younger children may be able to enjoy the activities with the assistance of an adult or older sibling.
• The primary language of delivery for this program is English. Any printed materials will be provided in both official languages (English/French).

Curiosity Café 

Thursdays, June 5, June 19, and June 26 from 10 am to 3 pm 
Ages: Older adults (50+); family members and caregivers are also welcome.
Cost: Pay-what-you-can

Join us at Nepean Museum to connect with neighbours, enjoy a heritage-inspired craft, and to take a closer look at our artefact collection. Each session we’ll be exploring new topics! Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and light snack and play a retro boardgame or card game with new friends. We want to hear from you – the Curiosity Café is an opportunity to help shape the future of older adult programming at Nepean Museum. Drop in any time between 10 am and 3 pm on the advertised dates to enjoy a craft, games, and light refreshments. Special workshops or lectures will take place between 1 pm and 2 pm. The full schedule and topics are listed below.

June 5 from 1 pm to 2 pm
Workshop: Healing herbs
Discuss the history of using herbs for healing then create your own potpourri herb sachet.

June 19 from 1 pm to 2 pm
Lecture: Ottawa neighbourhoods – Westboro
Learn more about the history of our surrounding community. Topics: Nepean bell and Nepean coat of arms; police villages; churches; factories; the Bell family and Brittania-on-the-Bay.

June 26 from 1 pm to 2 pm
Workshop: Painting pottery
Paint and decorate a salad plate (from Colour Me Mine on Merivale Road). Supplies are provided. Maximum of 20 participants (first come, first served). Pieces will be fired and ready for pick-up two weeks after the workshop.

Notes

• The primary language of delivery for this program is English. 
• There are two accessible parking spaces located in the front parking lot on Rowley Avenue. Each space is roughly 20 m from the front entrance (accessible via ramp) also located on Rowley Avenue. Additional parking is located behind the building on David Drive.  
• The nearest bus stops are located at Meadowlands/Peter, Meadowlands/Perry, and Meadowlands/Savuto, approximately 300 m from the museum.  
• The exhibition gallery is on the main level. There is a small set of stairs to access the hallway where the community room and public washrooms are located. A staff-operated lift is available for visitors with wheelchairs or mobility devices. 

• Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum web page. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum by phone at 613-580-9638 or by email at museums@ottawa.ca.  

Museum Fun Day! 

Saturday, June 14 from 10 am to 4 pm 
Cost: Pay-what-you-can 

Kick off the summer season with a day of kid-friendly fun at Nepean Museum! Families are invited to explore their community’s history through creativity and play in the museum’s MakerStudio and beyond. From bubble-making and chalk art to a scavenger hunt and vintage board games, we’re ready to celebrate all the museum has to offer. 

• DIY bubble wands! Test your wands with different bubble solutions, including a “big bubble” mix.
• Community chalk art project! Help complete a colourful “stained glass” design inspired by the architecture of Faifields Heritage House.
• Build a thaumatrope! Create your own optical illusion toy.
• Learn to play a heritage game! Practice your skills at the “Game of Graces”, a popular 19th century lawn game.
• Test your wits! Complete the scavenger hunt or enjoy a vintage board game.

Activities are best suited to families with children ages 6 to 12. However, younger children may be able to enjoy the activities with the assistance of an adult or older sibling.

Notes

• This is a drop-in style event; advance registration is not required.
• The primary language of delivery for this program is English. Any printed materials will be provided in both official languages (English/French). 
• Activities take place both indoors and outdoors. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor activities may be adjusted or cancelled without notice.  
• The exhibition gallery and MakerStudio are located on the main level. There is a small set of stairs to access the hallway where the public washrooms and community rooms are located. A staff-operated lift is available for visitors with wheelchairs or mobility devices. Additional information about accessibility can be found on the museum web page. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact the museum by phone at 613-580-9638 or by email at museums@ottawa.ca. 

Craftspace

July 5, July 12, July 19, and July 26 from 10 am to 11 am
Ages 3 to 5.
$7.08 per child. 
Advance registration is required. 

Get creative and engage with the museum’s collection through play! Each week we’ll complete a craft or artmaking activity inspired by a unique object with a heritage theme.

Themes:
July 5 – Sidewalk chalk quilt
July 12 – DIY toy
July 19 – Natural inks & dyes
July 26 – Neighbourhood collage

Notes:

• This program is delivered in English.
• Parental/guardian supervision is required (no additional cost for adult accompanying the participating child).
• Please dress your child in clothes you are comfortable with getting messy.
• Please pack a peanut-free snack and water.
• Sessions with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If an alternative cannot be offered, a refund will be issued.
• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, contact the museum at 613-580-9638 or museums@ottawa.ca. Additional information regarding accessibility is available on the museum webpage.

You Can’t Do That at the Museum

July 5, July 12, and July 19 from 2 pm to 4 pm.
Ages 6 to 9.
Cost: $12.66 per child.
Advance registration is required.

It’s time to get creative, silly, and a little bit messy at Nepean Museum! We’ve been inspired by the keep-you-on-your-toes sketch show format, and rule bending attitude, of the CJOH-TV classic “You Can’t Do That On Television”. Travel through the decades and see your community through the lens of a different theme each week with a variety of fun, hands-on activities exploring the museum’s exhibition and artefact collection.

Themes:
July 5 – Slime
July 12 – Music & audio
July 19 – Secret codes

Notes:

• This program is delivered in English.
• Please dress your child in clothes you are comfortable with getting messy.
• Please pack a peanut-free snack and water.
• Sessions with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If an alternative cannot be offered, a refund will be issued.
• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, contact the museum at 613-580-9638 or museums@ottawa.ca. Additional information regarding accessibility is available on the museum webpage.

Tales of the Magical Museum

Sundays, July 27 to August 24 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Ages 9 to 11.
Cost: $30.23 per child.
Advance registration is required.

Discover the magic of Nepean Museum in this collaborative storytelling adventure inspired by games like Dungeons & Dragons. Using the museum’s exhibitions and artefact collection, create a character with special abilities influenced by heritage trades, and cross paths with figures from Ottawa’s history as you help decide where the story will take you next.

This program features a continuous narrative that will be explored over the five-part series. No prior experience is needed to join the fun!

Notes:

• This program is delivered in English.
• Please pack a peanut-free snack and water.
• Sessions with insufficient registration may be cancelled. If an alternative cannot be offered, a refund will be issued.
• If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility, contact the museum at 613-580-9638 or museums@ottawa.ca. Additional information regarding accessibility is available on the museum webpage.

Permanent exhibition - Rural Roots and City Streets 

"Nepean: Rural Roots and City Streets" explores this essential piece of Ottawa’s history. Using dozens of photos, artefacts, and interactive elements, this new, permanent exhibition spans the full history of Nepean from its use by Algonguin peoples from time immemorial, up until Nepean’s amalgamation with Ottawa at the turn of the 21st Century.

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.

For more information, please contact our Customer Service Booking Clerk. Call 613-580-9638 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

• 3 designated parking spaces
• Accessible path of travel from the parking lot to entrance
• 20 metres from parking space to the door

Entrance/Exit

• 2 accessible entrances
• Entrances marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility
• Ramp
• Wide door for wheelchair passage
• Automatic door opener
• Direct access to the main floor, lobby, elevator

Interior 

• All public spaces on accessible path of travel
• Ramps or elevators to all levels
• Accessible seating available

Reception desks

• Floor area for manoeuvring a wheelchair
• Swipe access from seated position

Signage

• Large lettering

Washrooms

• Located on lower level
• Automatic door opener
• Large stalls to allow transfers
• Universal (gender-neutral)

Elevator/Lift

• Access to all floors
• One-wheelchair lift
• Located between the two entrances

Telephone

• Volume control
• Accessible path

Museums/Galleries/Archives

• All exhibition spaces are accessible
• Captioned videos
• Wheelchair accessible
• Good visibility for patrons in wheelchairs
• Interpretative labels/panels in large font 

Learn more about Inclusive Recreation and accessible services.