GUIDED TOUR OF THE MUSEUM

Let our museum interpreters guide you through three floors of exhibitions. Explore the city’s oldest stone building and discover Ottawa’s past from the construction of the Rideau Canal and the lumber kings and lumberjacks of the 19th century to the Victorian Era, Confederation and the First World War.

Our tours can be customized to your age group and/or interests.

Curriculum Links:

Grade 3: Social Studies: Early Settlements in Upper Canada
Grade 6: Social Studies: Canada’s Links to the World
Grade 7: History: British North America, Conflict and Change
Grade 8: History: Confederation, Canada: A Changing Society
Geography: Patterns In Human Geography, Economic Systems, Migration

Time: 60 minutes
Cost: $3.00/student (includes one free supervisor per ten paying students)
Group Size: Due to space limitations at the Bytown Museum, we can accommodate up to 60 people per tour. If you have a larger group, you may want to divide your group and visit other nearby sites concurrently. We are within a ten-minute walk of the following attractions: Parliament Hill, the Supreme Court, Paul’s Boat Tours, the National Gallery of Canada, the Byward Market, the National War Memorial and the National Arts Centre.

 

ACTIVITY TOUR PROGRAMS

Looking for a guided tour and a hands-on program for your students? Select any one of the following activities and allow your students to get their hands into history!

Curriculum Links:

Grade 3: Social Studies: Early Settlements in Upper Canada
Grade 6: Social Studies: Canada’s Links to the World
Grade 7: History: British North America, Conflict and Change
Grade 8: History: Confederation, Canada: A Changing Society
Geography: Patterns In Human Geography, Economic Systems, Migration

List of Activities:
Quill Pen Writing
Slate Writing
Tea Leaf Reading
Soldier’s Food
Soldier’s Uniform
Butter Making
Pioneer Clothes
Pioneer Toys
Coits

Time: 60 minutes + 20 minutes per activity
Cost: $3.00/student + $2.00/student, per activity (includes one free supervisor per ten paying students)
Group Size: Due to space limitations at the Bytown Museum, we can only accommodate up to 20 people at a time for these hands-on programs.

 

GUIDED TOUR OF THE MUSEUM + OTTAWA LOCKSTATION TOUR

An official Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site tour offered in partnership by Parks Canada.

Discover the Ottawa Locks, set next to majestic Parliament Hill in the heart of the nation's capital. Let your costumed guide take you back to the early 19th century, the time of the Rideau Canal's construction - North America's oldest operating canal system. Tour Ottawa's oldest stone building, now the Bytown Museum and explore the exhibits related to this UNESCO World Heritage Site and experience the stories of the people who made Ottawa what it is today - uncensored, unembellished and unforgettable!

This new, 90-minute tour is available in English and French. Cost: $5 - $6. Maximum group size: 60.
 

BYTOWN GARRISON

On its own or to compliment a tour, this program focuses on the military origins of Ottawa. Through hands-on activities, students will explore the life of a soldier in Canada during the turbulent nineteenth century. Can’t make it to the Bytown Museum? No problem. Leftenant Henry Pooley will march a member of the Bytown garrison to you. Bytown Garrison has been adapted for outreach.

The construction of the Rideau Canal and the founding of Bytown(Ottawa) would come about as a direct result of the American invasion and Canada’s future capital would grow and flourish under the watchful eye of its British garrison. Experience many aspects of life as a soldier in early 19th century British North America and decide if you could’ve marched to the defence of Canada in 1812…

Activities Include:

  • Soldiers Food: Sample soldiers rations. Learn what they enjoyed fresh from their garden.

  • Soldiers Medicine: Undergo a 19th century medical examination and treatment.

  • Soldiers Uniforms and Equipment: Learn the significance of the uniform and try it on for size. Inspect soldier’s equipment.

  • Soldiers Place: Explore a heritage building from the Bytown Military Establishment and discover its important role as bastion, storehouse and treasury. Play a soldiers game.

Curriculum Links:

Grade 7: History: British North America, Conflict and Change
Grade 8: History: Confederation, Canada: A Changing Society
Geography: Patterns In Human Geography, Economic Systems, Migration

Time: 90 minutes
Cost: $3.50/student
Group Size: Due to space limitations at the Bytown Museum, we can only accommodate up to 20 people at a time for the Bytown Garrison program. However, this program is also suited for outreach to the classroom. The Museum will bring all materials necessary.

 

THAT'S OLD SCHOOL: STUDY AND PLAY OF OTTAWA'S YOUNG VICTORIANS

Through hands-on activities, students will experience aspects of childhood during the early days of Ottawa. The program is lead by one of three teachers from the Bytown era: Mr. James Maloney, Miss Sarah Napps or Father Tabaret. They focus on the three Rs: Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic.

Experience education in the old school: no internet, no spell check, no mercy. "Spare the rod, spoil the child" is an old proverb that was highly regarded in those days. While we shall spare the rod, we shall endeavour to give students an appreciation for advances made in educational technology and philosophy by showing them how it used to be. And at the end of it all there will be time to play. Batteries not included or required.

Activities Include:

  • Writing with chalk and slate: A lot cheaper than costly paper. Keep your letters neat and clean and try not to squeak too much as you write.

  • Coits: It's recess and time to prove your skill with this fun rope toss team game.

  • Old fashioned toys: Finally school is over and the chores are done. A chance for some good old fashioned amusement, old fashioned being the operative phrase.

Curriculum Links:

Grade 3: Social Studies: Early Settlements in Upper Canada
Grade 6: Social Studies: Canada’s Links to the World
Grade 7: History: British North America, Conflict and Change
Grade 8: History: Confederation, Canada: A Changing Society
Geography: Patterns In Human Geography, Economic Systems, Migration

Time: 90 minutes
Cost: $3.50/student
Group Size: Due to space limitations at the Bytown Museum, we can only accommodate up to 20 people at a time for the program. However, this program is also suited for outreach to the classroom. The Museum will bring all materials necessary.

SURVIVOR BYTOWN

On its own or to compliment a tour, this program focuses on the pioneers of Bytown who founded our City. Through hands-on activities, students will explore pioneer life on the frontier of Upper Canada during the nineteenth century. Can’t make it to the Bytown Museum? No problem. This program is available as outreach.

Contemplate life without indoor plumbing, electricity or supermarkets. Will you be voted out of the kitchen? Come to the Museum for a taste of pioneer reality.

Activities Include:

Quill Pen Writing: Try writing by hand. No spell check in the good old days.
Butter Making: Explore pioneer food at the Museum, including our heritage garden and butter making.
Pioneer Clothing: Forget Marks Work Warehouse, you’re making your own clothes.
Pioneer Games: Life without Zedbox and Playplatform! Old fashioned amusements.

Curriculum Links:

Grade 3: Social Studies: Early Settlements in Upper Canada
Grade 6: Social Studies: Canada’s Links to the World
Grade 7: History: British North America, Conflict and Change
Grade 8: History: Confederation, Canada: A Changing Society
Geography: Patterns In Human Geography, Economic Systems, Migration

Time: 90 minutes
Cost: $3.50/student
Group Size: Due to space limitations at the Bytown Museum, we can only accommodate up to 20 people at a time for the Bytown Garrison program. However, this program is also suited for outreach to the classroom. The Museum will bring all materials necessary.

 

THE TIMES OF D’ARCY MCGEE, VICTORIAN CANADIAN

Focusing on the life and times of Father of Confederation Thomas D’Arcy McGee, this program will bring the Victorian Age in Canada to life for your group! Compare the Fenians to modern terrorist threats. Explore Confederation and the role of McGee. Discover the media of the Victorian Age. The program also examines the tragic assassination of D’Arcy McGee and the controversial execution of Patrick Whelan for the murder.

Activities Include:

Victorian Etiquette: Learn how to conduct yourself as a respectable member of society.
Divination by Tea Leaf Reading: The Victorians had a fascination with the supernatural.
Victorian Newspaper/Writing by Quill Pen: Use a quill pen to write your Victorian column in Victorian style. Explore the power of the media at the height of the Newspaper.
Capital Punishment: Is death an appropriate punishment? Debate capital punishment and the execution of Patrick Whelan.

Curriculum Links:

Grade 8: Confederation, Canada: A Changing Society
Grade 9 – 12 English: Canadian Literature, Using Language effectively, Debating
Grade 11: Understanding Canadian Law
Grade 12: History, Identity and Culture

Time: 90 minutes
Cost: $3.50/student
Group Size: Due to space limitations at the Bytown Museum, we can only accommodate up to 20 people at a time for the Bytown Garrison program. However, this program is also suited for outreach to the classroom. The Museum will bring all materials necessary.

 

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