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

Contact us

Tel.: 613-580-2088
Fax: 613-247-4832
Email: museums@ottawa.ca
Facebook: @BillingsEstate
Instagram: @BillingsEstateMuseum
Subscribe to our monthly "At your museum" eNewsletter. 

Hours

May 12, 2019 to October 13, 2019
Wednesday - Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm
Monday - Tuesday: closed
*Hours of operation may vary for special events and programs.

Admission

Unless otherwise indicated, regular admission fees apply.

Adults - $6.75
Seniors and Students - $5.50
Child - $4.00
Families (two adults and accompanying children) - $16.50
Children 5 and under are free.

Group rates available upon request. Additional fees may be applicable to some special events and programs.

Ruckus at the Garden Party 

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

Tickets on sale now! Tickets are available for purchase at Billings Estate National Historic Site (Wednesday – Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm) beginning July 10. Cash, debit, and credit are accepted. Tickets can be put on hold for up to 48 hours by calling 613-580-2088. You must visit the museum during regular operating hours to complete payment and pick up your tickets or the tickets will be returned to the general pool for sale.

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; final admission at 3 pm).

Music by capitalJAZZ from 11 am to 2 pm. 

Ticket includes vouchers for one drink and one sweet or savoury treat. Cash bar, additional treats, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase (cash only).

Valid government issued photo ID required for alcohol purchase. Alcohol must be consumed in designated area only. Please note that smoking is prohibited.

Artist Talk – Flow and Hieratic

Wednesday, August 21 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Join artist Marc Walter at Billings Estate National Historic Site to tour two new landart installations and to learn more about the museum exhibition that inspired these works.

Walter created Flow, a river-like rolling fence, and Hieratic, a dome reminiscent of a boulder left behind by ancient water flows, using recycled branches, twine, and other natural materials.

Museum visitors and community members of all ages have contributed to the co-creation of both temporary installations by practicing weaving and knotting techniques as well as by adding hand-lettered words connected to the history of the site and evoked their own experiences with the artworks.

Billings Estate National Historic Site is proud to collaborate with Community Arts + Social Engagement to connect residents with Ottawa’s social and natural history through this exciting pilot project. Both Flow and Hieratic are inspired by the museum’s 2019 exhibition, Water: A Journey to the Source, which explores how the city’s landscape has been shaped by this important resource.

Historic Cemetery Tours

Select Sundays in September, October, and November at dusk (*see schedule below)
Recommended for ages 16+Cost: $6.75 (adults) or $5.50 (students and seniors)
Reservations are required. Please call 613-580-2088.

Discover the often harsh and somber history of Bytown and Gloucester Township on a guided exploration of the Estate grounds and Settler’s Cemetery at dusk. Experience true tales of death, burial, and disease on a hour-long tour that will take you beyond the typical museum experience to offer a unique glimpse at life and loss in 19th century Ottawa.

Please note:

• Dress for weather conditions and wear comfortable shoes. The route will include uneven and grassy terrain as well as gravel pathways. If you have questions regarding accessibility, contact the museum at 613-580-2088.
• The tour may discuss difficult subject (disease, violence, death, etc.). Visitor discretion is advised.

English-language tours

September 15, 22, 29, and October 6 at 7 pm
October 20 and 27 at 6:00 pm
November 3 and 10 at 5:30 pm

French-language tours

September 22 at 7:15 pm
October 20 at 6:15 pm
November 10 at 5:45 pm

Culture Days

Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29 from 10 am to 4 pm
Admission is free

Explore the grounds, discover the architectural history of the house, and learn more from our knowledgeable interpreters about the five generations of the family that called it home. On Sunday, we’ll be celebrating the 190th anniversary of the Billings family’s move into Park Hill with a sweet treat and games on the lawn.

Chillings Estate Halloween Party

Sunday, October 20 from 10 am to 4 pm
Cost: $17.50 per family (2 adults + children) or $6.75 per person

Join us for a family-friendly Halloween celebration! Come dressed in your costume and help us put the ‘trick’ in ‘trick-or-treat’ as we explore the whimsical, wily, and sometimes troublesome history of Halloween pranks. Complete fun Halloween activities and challenges to enjoy a delicious treat. Additional vintage treats and coffee will be available for cash purchase.

*Please dress for weather conditions; activities will take place both indoors and outdoors.

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.

Please use the barcodes provided to register using Service Ottawa’s online registration system. If you do not already have a family account, please create one before registering.

These workshops will be delivered in English with bilingual (English / French) staff available to assist. 

Raise the Root

Wednesdays: July 10, July 24, August 7, August 21 from 10 am to 11 am
Age: 6 to 9
Cost: $6.65 per child (registration is required)

Get your hands dirty as you discover your green thumb in our veggie garden. Learn the dos and don’ts of maintaining your home garden with a historical twist.

A minimum of 5 registered participants is required for the program to run.

July 10 – Preparing and Planting
Barcode: 1481743. Registration deadline is July 3.
July 24 – Care and Prevention
Barcode: 1481745. Registration deadline is July 17.
August 7 – Farms and Markets
Barcode: 1481746. Registration deadline is July 31.
August 21 – Pickling and Preserves
Barcode: 1481747. Registration deadline is August 14.

Can you dig it?

Thursdays: August 1, August 8, August 15, August 22 from 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Age: 8 to 11
Cost: $6.65 per child (registration is required)

Be inspired by Canada’s first paleontologist, Elkanah Billings, and get your hands dirty as you learn to dig for artefacts, identify mystery objects, and try techniques used by scientists every day. A different theme each week!

A minimum of 5 registered participants is required for a program to run.

August 1 - Paleontology
Barcode: 1469053. Registration deadline is July 25.
August 8 - Geology
Barcode: 1469058. Registration deadline is August 1.
August 15 - Archeology
Barcode: 1469061. Registration deadline is August 8.
August 22 - Beyond the Pit
Barcode: 1469063. Registration deadline is August 15

Young Naturalists

Fridays: August 2, August 9, August 16, August 23 from 10 am to 11 am
Age: 3 to 5
Cost: $6.65 per child (registration is required)

Preschooler and parent will explore the Estate together and discover the world like a 19th century naturalist, a historical profession and pastime that combined interests in the arts, sciences, and inquiry.

A minimum of 5 registered participants is required for the program to run.

Note: A parent or guardian must be present during this program. There is no additional cost for the participating parent/guardian. Please be advised that this program will take place outdoors. We recommend that parents have weather-appropriate attire on hand.

August 2 – Discover
Barcode: 1481750. Registration deadline is July 26.
August 9 – Conserve
Barcode: 1481751. Registration deadline is August 2.
August 16 – Present
Barcode: 1481753. Registration deadline is August 9.
August 23 – Adapt
Barcode: 1481754. Registration deadline is August 16.

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from May 15, 2019 to September 1, 2019 (excluding May 15, May 16, June 9, June 16, Canada Day, and August 25).

Complement your visit to Billings Estate National Historic Site with Tea on the Lawn. Enjoy tea and freshly baked goods alongside our beautiful gardens. Our knowledgeable heritage staff are happy to highlight the unique history of the estate, making Tea on the Lawn a memorable (and delicious!) addition to your museum experience.

Admission to the museum is included with your Tea on the Lawn purchase. 

2019 Menu and Prices

• Three-tier service for one: $18.10 
  Pot of tea; finger sandwiches; scone with butter and jam; desserts
• Three-tier service for two: $35.55 
  Two pots of tea; finger sandwiches; two scones with butter and jam; desserts
• Cream Tea: $6.25
  Pot of tea; scone with jam and Devon cream.

Seatings are available at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm.

Capacity is limited and reservations are recommended. To make a reservation, call 613-580-2088 ext. 35258.

Reservations of 10 or more guests must be confirmed by the tearoom coordinator. Please note that large groups will be divided between tables of four and/or six.

When making your reservation, please let us know of any dietary accommodations or mobility concerns. High chairs are available upon request.

Boxed Lunches

May 15, 2019 to September 1, 2019
Cost: $7.80 per boxed lunch

Boxed lunches are available for purchase and can be enjoyed while picnicking on the museum grounds. Each lunch includes one of the sandwiches being prepared for the day’s tea service, a dessert, drink, and fruit.

To reserve a boxed lunch, please call 613-580-2088 ext. 35258.

Bring Your Own

Visitors are also welcome to bring their own snacks or meals and picnic in the park. To preserve the artefacts in the museum, no eating or drinking is permitted in the exhibition spaces.

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. 

Exhibits

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.

Temporary Exhibition - Water: A Journey to the Source (opening spring 2019)

Water: A Journey to the Source is a special exhibition exploring how Ottawans have obtained, used, abused, and conserved this precious resource. It takes visitors from the frigid depths of the ancient Champlain Sea to the warm baths of Victorian spas and through the inner workings of our modern water treatment plants. Stories of whales and well diggers, water witches and waterworks engineers join never-before-seen artefacts to tell the cultural and social history of water in our city and region.

Sneak previews open at the Atrium Gallery (Ben Franklin Place) on March 22 and at Ottawa City Hall on May 1. The full exhibition opens on May 12 at Billings Estate National Historic Site, Nepean Museum, and Pinhey’s Point Historic Site.

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.

To enquire about volunteering, please contact heritagevolunteers@ottawa.ca.

Billings Estate National Historic Site is a uniquely picturesque and tranquil setting just 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa. The 200-year-old house is surrounded by gardens and reigns over more than 8 acres of lush parkland that can accommodate parties from 15 to 150 guests.

An affordable and flexible option for your wedding, anniversary, or other celebration, Billings Estate offers modern facilities with historic character. Under our marquee tent or inside our meeting rooms, we can help make your gathering both beautiful and successful. 

Weddings and Special Events

Beautiful gardens, historic buildings, and open green space are complemented by a gorgeous antique staircase for photographers to capture your memories. Dressing rooms for the bridal party and special guests are available. Choose your own caterer to make sure your event is exactly how you’ve always dreamed it would be.

Corporate Meetings and Retreats

Need a change of scenery for your meeting, retreat or corporate function? Recharge your company’s batteries at this National Historic Site, which offers modern meeting rooms and equipment in a unique heritage setting.

Amenities for Rentals Include

• Large marquee tent (30’x50’) with wooden floor and electrical outlets
• Small tent (20’x20’) with stone floor (available outside of Tea on the Lawn service hours)
• Tables and chairs for 150 guests
• Commercial kitchen (available outside of Tea on the Lawn service hours)
• Two private rooms for up to 20 people
• Staff to facilitate set-up and take-down
• More than 8 acres of gardens for photos and activities
• Technical equipment: TV, VCR, projector, fixed screen, easel/flip chart
• Free parking

You can book your outdoor special event up to 18 months in advance, and your indoor events can be booked up to 6 months in advance.

Book an appointment

The breathtaking beauty of Billings Estate must be seen to be believed. Make an appointment with our Customer Service Booking Clerk for a tour of our facility and to receive a full rental information package and application form. 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, elevator

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 and basement
• Large stalls to allow transfers

Telephone

• Volume control
• Accessible path

Museums/Galleries/Archives

• 2 exhibition spaces are accessible
• Non FM-loop system available
• Good visibility for patrons in wheelchairs
• Interpretive labels/panels in large font

Learn more about special needs and accessible services.