Picnic at Park Hill (Canada Day)
Monday, July 1 from 10 am to 4 pm
Cost: See the options listed below
Celebrate Canada Day with a picnic and lawn games at Park Hill, the former name for Billings Estate. Enjoy the company of friends and family on our beautiful grounds. Enjoy some old-fashioned fun and games on the lawn and explore the story behind this National Historic Site inside the museum. Leave the prep work in our hands by reserving a yummy picnic lunch for your group or pack your own. Don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket so you can truly sit back and appreciate the relaxed Canada Day fun.
Picnic Basket Reservations
Cost: $12.50 + tax per person
Reserve your picnic basket for 11 am to 12:30 pm or 1 pm to 2:30 pm. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 613-580-2088 ext. 35250. The deadline to make a reservation is Friday, June 28.
Picnic baskets include Canadian and community history-inspired games for your group and a sandwich, drink, cookie, and piece of fruit for each person included in the reservation as well as admission to the museum and the lawn games.
When making your reservation, please indicate how many lunches you are requesting, which option you would like for each lunch, and the age range of your group (this helps us pack age-appropriate games in the basket). Dietary concerns should be noted at the time of reservation. Please note that accommodations cannot be made on the day of the event.
Option 1: Ham and cheddar cheese sandwich; apple or orange; maple shortbread cookie, and a drink. This option can be made vegetarian (omitting ham) upon request at the time of reservation.
Option 2: Chicken salad sandwich; apple or orange; maple shortbread cookie, and a drink.
Option 3: Hummus and cucumber sandwich; apple or orange; maple shortbread cookie; drink.
Bring Your Own Picnic
Cost: $6.75 per person or $17.50 per family (2 adults + children under 18)
Bring your own picnic or just spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Visitors can explore the museum’s exhibitions, chat with an interpreter, and challenge their friends to old-fashioned games on the lawn.
Date: Sunday, July 28
Time: 2:15 pm or 5:00 pm (run time is 1.5 hours)
Age: Recommended for ages 14 and up
Cost: $22.57 (age 14) / $24.50 (ages 15 and up)
Language: English-language performance
Tickets: Please use the barcodes below to reserve your tickets using Service Ottawa’s online registration system. If you do not already have a family account, please create one before registering.
Adult (Ages 15+) - Afternoon (2:15 pm) 1511142
Child (Age 14) – Afternoon (2:15 pm) 1511194
Adult (Ages 15+) – Evening (5 pm) 1511143
Child (Age 14) – Evening (5 pm) 1511195
It’s almost closing time at Billings Estate National Historic Site when you run into a strange figure dressed in period clothes and seeming confused. The mysterious character, identifying only as Circa, is horrified to discover they are in the modern era, and that many of the things they remember and love are now behind glass, on shelves, and written about in history books. They have no recollection of who they are, or how they got there.
Only pictures, items, and stories from a time long ago seem to trigger memories about their identity. Stay with Circa as anecdotes from their life come flooding back and travel through time searching for clues. Make sure to avoid the security guard at closing time as you help Circa discover the ultimate treasure – their identity.
Live History is a Governor General’s Award nominated theatre group that specializes in bringing local history to life.
Note: Please arrive 10-15 minutes (min.) before your show’s start time. There will be no further admittance after the show begins. The show will move guests throughout the house and includes stairs. If you have questions regarding accessibility, please contact 613-580-2088 or museums@ottawa.ca.
Ruckus at the Garden Party (Save the date!)
with an interactive challenge presented by Live History
Sunday, August 25 from 10 am to 4 pm
Ages 18+
Early bird ticket: $25 + HST (through August 18)
Regular ticket: $30 + HST
Ticket details coming soon!
Dress to impress in your Jazz Age best! This garden party promises to be the bee’s knees. Delight in a 1920s themed fête on the beautiful grounds of one of Ottawa’s oldest homes. Immerse yourself in the era as you enjoy some delicious bites, tea, and beverages served buffet-style. Music and lawn games will help set the scene outside but no garden party would be complete without some high society drama. Move inside the museum where figures from the exhibition have come to life and are causing a ruckus. Follow the gossip, collect clues, and help restore order before time runs out. (Note: the interactive challenge is presented in English only).
Ticket includes vouchers for one drink and one sweet or savoury treat.
School Programs
School Programs and Educational Activities are offered for students from kindergarten to Grade 8 from Wednesday to Friday during the months of May, June, September and October.
