City of Ottawa - At Your Museum - April 2018

A Mother’s Day tradition

Our special Mother’s Day Tea will be returning to Billings Estate National Historic Site on Sunday, May 13. Celebrate Mother’s Day with your loved ones while enjoying a traditional Victorian three-tier tea service on the beautiful museum grounds. Reservations are required and will open on April 9. Can’t make it for tea on Mother’s Day? Not to worry! Tea on the Lawn will be offered Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays throughout the summer beginning May 16.

The times they were a changing

Join us at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum on Sunday, May 13 as we kick off our new season and learn more about how families in the 1920s and 30s adjusted to the era’s major social changes. Create your own family tree, experience life in the classroom, and enjoy returning favourites including wagon rides, farm animals, the heritage garden, and more!

Make time for relaxation

We’re launching a new workshop series at Fairfields Heritage House! Makers at the Museum is perfect for crafters and DIYers of all skill levels. On Sunday, May 13, come relax with us as we use tea and essential oils to make bath bombs with a local artisan from Zoe’s Corner. Enjoy some light refreshments, tour the House while learning more about the Bell family women, and prepare your own bath bombs to take home. Registration is required.

Summer sampler

We have an exciting summer season ahead of us at Pinhey’s Point Historic Site and we’re ready to give you a preview! Visit us on Sunday, May 13 to experience highlights of our planned activities from cooking demonstrations and house tours to lawn games and heritage gardening. We have something for everyone! And don’t forget to check out our new City in Motion exhibition: From Paddlewheels to Railways.

Artefact Showcase

Before 1918, the privately-owned Ottawa Electric Railway (OER) had a single fare system from Rockliffe Park on the eastern end of the line to Britannia Park in the west. However, regular commuters could get a deal — the yellow “workman’s tickets” pictured here were purchased in strips and offered discounted rides during morning and afternoon rush hours. The fare system wouldn’t always be so simple. When the OER proposed charging riders more to transfer between suburban and urban lines, the resulting debate went all the way to the Supreme Court! Visit Nepean Museum beginning May 13 to explore our new City in Motion exhibition and to learn more about  the history of “streetcar suburbs” and public transportation in Ottawa.

A sneak peek at City in Motion

You can now preview our latest exhibition, City in Motion, at the Atrium Gallery, Ben Franklin Place until April 16. Highlights from this four-part exhibition exploring Ottawa’s transportation history will also be on display at City Hall beginning May 1 before officially launching at Billings Estate National Historic Site, Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, Nepean Museum, and Pinhey’s Point Historic Site on May 13.

A look at local sports

Next time you’re at City Hall, take a moment to visit the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame and check out our new exhibition which tells the story of sport at the community level. The exhibition highlights the history, achievements, and impact of local sport and sporting organizations in Ottawa.

We’re celebrating National Volunteer Week!

National Volunteer Week will take place April 15 to 21. To celebrate, we’ll be sharing photos and stories from members of our wonderful volunteer team on our Facebook pages. Make sure you are following us for a glimpse into the incredible contributions of our volunteers. Links to our museums’ Facebook pages can be found below or through their respective web pages.

Volunteer with us

We’re currently looking for volunteers! Consider attending one or more of the following On-site Introduction sessions for new volunteers to learn more about how you can involved. Tuesday, April 10 from 3:30 pm to 5 pm Cumberland Heritage Village Museum Thusday, April 12 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm Billings Estate National Historic Site Thursday, April 19 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm Pinhey’s Point Historic Site

Get involved with Doors Open Ottawa

On June 2 and 3, more than 140 of the city’s historically, culturally, and functionally significant buildings will participate in Door Open Ottawa. From greeting visitors to assisting as tour guides, volunteers play an important role in the success of DOO. If you are interested in getting involved with this event, you’re invited to attend a volunteer information session to learn more. Monday, May 14 at 6 pm Room 1A, Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive Thursday, May 17 at 6 pm Councillors’ Lounge, City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West

Follow us on Facebook!

Get the most up-to-date details about special events and programs by following us on Facebook. Billings Estate National Historic Site Cumberland Heritage Village Museum Fairfields Heritage House Nepean Museum Pinhey’s Point Historic Site Doors Open Ottawa You can also find Cumberland Heritage Village Museum on Instagram!