The City will reopen its museums and historic sites starting August 5 – with COVID-safety protocols in place to allow residents to safely explore our local history.
Visitors are asked to book their visit online at ottawa.ca/museums by 4 pm one day prior to their planned visit. Only a certain number of visitors can be admitted at once, to allow for proper physical distancing. As a result, anyone without a formal booking will only be admitted if capacity allows.
The museums and historic sites reopening include:
- Billings Estate National Historic Site
2100 Cabot Street
ottawa.ca/billingsestate
- Cumberland Heritage Village Museum
2940 Old Montreal Road
ottawa.ca/cumberlandmuseum
- Fairfields Heritage House
3080 Richmond Road
ottawa.ca/fairfields
- Nepean Museum
16 Rowley Ave
ottawa.ca/nepeanmuseum
- Pinhey’s Point Historic Site
270 Pinhey’s Point Road
ottawa.ca/pinheyspoint
The hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm – unless otherwise indicated. Admission to the sites remains the same and is paid upon arrival. Contactless payment is preferred by using a credit or debit card. Safe-cash handling procedures will be followed at those sites that take admission by donation.
Safeguards in place for visitor and staff safety
The museums and historic sites have COVID-related safeguards and mitigation measures in place to help reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19, including:
- All visitors must provide contact-tracing information and answer screening questions upon arrival
- Directional signage in place for one-way foot traffic
- Designated entrance and exit points for indoor exhibits
- Hand sanitizer will be available at designated museum entry/exit points
- Access to some exhibition spaces is restricted
Tours of indoor exhibition spaces are self-guided, but interpreters will be available outside on the museum grounds to answer any questions and provide more information. Some museums will have outdoor heritage demonstrations and activities. Schedules vary for each museum and are weather dependent.
Food and drink will not be available at the museum sites, except for the Takeaway Tea option at the Billings Estate National Historic Site. Visitors can bring their own picnic food, snacks and drinks.
Access to drinking water may be limited at some locations. However, public washrooms are open at all sites.
Help us protect you and other visitors
In addition to our COVID-related safety protocols, visitors can help us protect them and others by:
- Staying home if you are not feeling well. You can contact the museum booking by phone or email.
- Wearing masks inside museum buildings, admission areas, exhibition spaces and public washrooms.
- Keeping a two-metre distance from other visitors and staff.
- Washing your hands regularly – with soap and water or using hand sanitizers.
For more information, visit ottawa.ca/museums and the Ottawa Public Health website.
