Bytown Museum

Bytown Museum
Established	1917
Location	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada lower locks of the Rideau Canal at the Ottawa River just below Parliament Hill
Type	History museum
Website	www.bytownmuseum.com/

The Bytown Museum is a small museum in Ottawa located on the lower locks of the Rideau Canal at the Ottawa River just below Parliament Hill.

The museum's exhibits follow the early history of the city, originally known as Bytown, and the construction of the Rideau Canal. The museum is housed in a stone building designed by Thomas McKay and built in 1827.

It was investigated by the Girly Ghosthunters for any paranormal activity within its walls. It was shown as the fourth episode, of thirteen, of the named show in 2005.

History

The museum was opened in 1917 by the Women’s Canadian Historical Society of Ottawa (WCHSO) to house the collection of artifacts that the society had amassed since its founding in 1898. In 1951, the Bytown Museum moved to its current location, a building that was used as a treasury and storehouse during the construction of the Rideau Canal. An Ontario Historical Plaque was erected by the province to commemorate the Commissariat Building's role in Ontario's heritage. The Commissariat Building's structure is the oldest existing stone building in Ottawa, Ontario. A Celtic Cross was erected by the Rideau Canal Celtic Cross Committee at the Ottawa Lockstation "In Memory of 1000 workers & their families who died building this canal 1826 - 1832."

Gallery

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  The museum's building in an 1839 painting

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  The Commissariat building, shown in a 1834 painting, serves as the Bytown Museum

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  View of Rideau Canal & Bytown Museum

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  View of Rideau Canal & Bytown Museum

See also

• History of Ottawa

External links

• Museum website