Dear friends,

The BYTOWN MUSEUM – your community museum since 1917 – has made the tough decision to remain closed to the public throughout the remainder of the 2021 season. We did not come to this conclusion lightly. Due to current financial, physical, and staffing constraints, as well as the unknown return of tourism to our City, and the late start to what is our busy season, this is our only viable option.

We very much miss serving our community directly – visitors, volunteers, stakeholders, school groups, and tourists alike – as well as your insights, interactions, and conversations about the Museum and the remarkable history of Bytown and Ottawa.

We will continue to bring you amazing online content. Our ever-popular social media has been bolstered by our interactive Virtual Tour, our “Bytown Bit by Bit” and new “Arte-Features” video series, our online programming, including “Let Us Entertain You” and our “Beyond Bytown” virtual lecture series, our downloadable activities, curriculum-based lessons, and so much more. Until we open our doors, we encourage you to explore our collections online, walk through the Museum’s galleries in our Virtual Tour, explore the Rideau Canal site, and like, follow, share, and subscribe to all of our content.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, I would like to THANK YOU for your ongoing support of your 104 year old Community Museum.

Stay safe and be well. We are sincerely looking forward to welcoming you back to our beloved Museum when the time is right.

Robin Etherington
Executive Director
Musee Bytown Museum