SIX MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF

THE URBAN FOREST

January 24 - May 27, 2012

“Six Moments in the History of an Urban Forest” is an exhibit opening in January 2012 at the Bytown Museum.

Curated by Carleton University professor Joanna Dean and graduate student Will Knight, the exhibit explores the contested place of trees in Ottawa's urban history. The exhibit explores early street tree planting, the 1920s campaign to "control" urban trees, the commemorative Centennial crab apple tree, the role of arborists in negotiating the conflicts between trees and the built environment, and the closing of Lovers Walk behind Parliament Hill.  

It will include such artefacts as the cross-section of a 150-year old bur oak, arborist tools, and digital maps showing changes in Ottawa’s tree canopy since the 1920s.

The exhibit runs from January 24-May 27, 2012 and is funded by the Network in Canadian History and Environment (NiCHE), a Jack Kimmell grant from the Canadian Tree Fund, and Carleton University.

Virtual Exhibitions

Capital Neighbourhoods explores the history of seven of Ottawa's urban communities using an interactive map that traces the location of many of the city's most interesting and important sites.

From Stanley Cups to assassinations and canal builders to cold war espionage, readers will
discover the real Ottawa beyond Parliament Hill and the seat of government.

But we don't want to be the only ones telling Ottawa's story. What are some of your favourite memories, spots and shops in Ottawa? Take a moment to share your stories, photographs, audio recordings and videos with us!

This bilingual, 8-minute animation takes the viewer back in time to the Ottawa Locks site and Commissariat Building (which now houses the Bytown Museum), as they appeared when the Rideau Canal was first completed. The animation guides the viewer through the locks on Lieutenant-Colonel By’s maiden voyage in May 1832, even diving underwater to understand how a sluice gate works.

The museum also displays an annual temporary exhibit which highlights a part of our past not included in the long term displays.