Nepean Museum, Ottawa

The Nepean Museum, located in Ottawa, is a dedicated community-focused institution that safeguards, presents, and shares the rich history of the former municipality of Nepean. Its primary goal is to preserve and display artifacts spanning Nepean's origins to the 20th century within its museum galleries and grounds. With an expansive open-concept exhibit area covering approximately 2000 square feet, the museum collects, preserves, researches, exhibits, and interprets the remarkable achievements of both humanity and nature in Nepean.

Established in 1973 as the West Carleton Museum, the institution underwent a name change in 1976, becoming the renowned "Nepean Museum." In 1983, it attained non-profit organization status and operated from the Graham Park Cultural Activities Center between 1973 and 1985. Eventually, in 1985, the museum found its new home in the Davidson family farmhouse on Baseline Road.

In 1989, the Nepean Parks & Recreation Department leased the former library facility on Rowley Avenue to the Nepean Museum, which completed its renovation and officially opened its doors that same year. Since then, the museum has been an integral part of the community, meticulously preserving Nepean history starting from 1792 and housing an extensive collection of artifacts. Notably, the museum offers guided tours of the Fairfields Heritage Property, an exquisite 19th-century Gothic Revival-style farmhouse that served as the residence for five generations of the Bell family from 1823 to 2000.

Additionally, the museum's archives serve as a valuable resource for historians and genealogists, offering access to relevant collections. Throughout the year, the Nepean Museum organizes various special events, further enriching the experience for visitors.