City of Ottawa - At Your Museum - July 2018

Start your engines

Check out vehicles from across the decades at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum’s Classic Car Show on Sunday, July 15. Challenge your friends and family to a cardboard box derby race inspired by the Bennett Buggies and Doodlebugs of the depression era.

Fun for the kids

Add a fun, hands-on and educational children’s program to your family’s calendar this summer. At Billings Estate National Historic Site, our programs will take kids from an archeological dig, to a heritage kitchen, and beyond with different themes each week in July and August. At Curious Minds, kids can explore local history through a new lens every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in July (Nepean Museum) and August (Fairfields Heritage House).  From carpentry to bird watching, drop by Pinhey’s Point Historic Site on Fridays for activities inspired by the site’s long history and natural heritage.

Step into a poet's shoes

Ottawa Poet Laureate Jamaal Jackson Rogers will be joining us at Nepean Museum for our poetry-themed Curious Minds program on Thursday, July 12. This is a perfect opportunity for kids to have fun with rhyming, learn about different styles of poetry, write their own compositions, and more. Registration is now open.

Itching for a stitching

Makers at the Museum is back! Learn the basics of embroidery from local artisan Lee Stach (Fraser Road) and create a colourful design inspired by Fairfields Heritage House. Tea will be served and a themed tour of the house will be provided. Register early to reserve your spot.

A night at the museum

Spend an evening at Pinhey’s Point Historic Site and experience local history from a new perspective. Let your imagination soar with Tall Tales around the campfire on Friday, July 13. Or, look up! Take in the site’s natural heritage while learning the basics of astronomy from #popscope on Saturday, July 14. Registration is required.

Let's get chemical

From medicine and food to cars and the human body, chemical reactions are at work all around us. Let’s get chemical at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum and explore how we interact with chemistry each and every day on Sunday, August 12.

On the move

Switch up your gym routine and register for a unique yoga experience led by an experienced instructor at a City of Ottawa museum. Enjoy picturesque views of the Ottawa River with Full Moon Yoga at Pinhey’s Point Historic Site on July 27 or begin your day with Body in Motion and breakfast at Billings Estate National Historic Site on August 19.

Pride and Prejudice (and Poe)

Wear your heart on your sleeve and explore two different literary expressions of romance at Billings Estate National Historic Site with a themed tea service on August 26. Don’t miss out on this popular event! Reservations open Tuesday, July 24 at 10 am. Visit our website for further details.

Artefact showcase

Preparing for a new exhibition requires more than just research and design. As artefacts are chosen, conservation work is often the next step before items are displayed and is an overall important part of maintaining artefact collections. This was the case as City of Ottawa Museums staff prepared for the opening of City in Motion. This poster from the 1890s, which advertises the timetable for the steamship Maude, had significant signs of wear. It was faded due to light exposure, soiled, creased, and torn with missing pieces. These before and after photographs demonstrate the end result of the poster being cleaned and repaired. It is now on display at Pinhey’s Point Historic Site.

Voting is Now Open

Thank you to everyone who suggested names for the Dexter Cattle calf who is staying at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum with her mom this summer. The top suggestions have been narrowed down and voting is now open! Vote for your favourite during your next visit to the museum or on the Facebook page.

Archeology month

August is Archeology Month in Ottawa! To mark the occasion, a special exhibition at City Hall will explore the archeological heritage of the region, featuring artefacts from the City of Ottawa Museums collection and from the Kitigan Zibi Anishabeg Cultural Centre.

Volunteer

Museum volunteers have unique opportunities for behind the scenes looks at our exhibitions, heritage buildings, and more. The next For Volunteers Only session will be in September and will focus on built heritage. Are you interested in volunteering with the City of Ottawa Museums? Email heritagevolunteers@ottawa.ca for more information.

Follow us on Facebook!

We have even more great programs and events coming up this summer at your local museums! 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 (find us on Instagram too!) Fairfields Heritage House (new!) Nepean Museum Pinhey’s Point Historic Site Doors Open Ottawa