See how farming is rooted in Ottawa’s 200-year history

If you are planning to visit City Hall or are just in the area, take a journey back in time and explore Ottawa’s farming history at the City of Ottawa Archives latest exhibit, Cultivating Community: Agriculture Rooted in Ottawa’s History – now open at the Barbara Ann Scott Gallery.

The exhibit offers a dynamic and engaging experience for visitors of all ages. Interpretive panels, display cases with artifacts, and archival photographs will guide visitors through Ottawa’s agricultural history. Interactive elements, like videos, QR codes that link to audio recordings, and other digital content help enhance accessibility and storytelling.

It first transports visitors back to the era of early settlers, who grew food and raised livestock to sustain their own households. It then illustrates how the construction of the Rideau Canal, the local timber industry, and Confederation became powerful drivers that accelerated agriculture as a family business – evolving it from an individual means of survival into a shared necessity to support a growing community.

After Ottawa became Canada’s capital, improved infrastructure and transportation enabled agricultural specialization, particularly in dairy and livestock. As the city expanded in the 20th century, you will see how urban growth and rising costs reduced the number of farms, with larger farming operations serving national and global markets and smaller farms focusing on local food systems. And it shows how today’s farming – including community gardening – connects urban and rural communities with food security 

In addition, the exhibit takes a unique and contrasting perspective from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, who lived on the Ottawa River watershed for millennia. It acknowledges the impact of colonialization on their way of life – where farming became a tool to assert ownership of land that was acquired without treaty or consent. The exhibit presents stories that inspire reflection on the past and encourage a more inclusive and respectful understanding of the land we share.

Visit the Barbara Ann Scott Gallery at City Hall to experience the Cultivating Community: Agriculture Rooted in Ottawa’s History exhibit and learn more about Ottawa’s agricultural history. 

This year is Ottawa’s 200th anniversary – a bicentennial year recognizing our city’s history from its early Bytown days to today’s world-class capital city of a million people.  It’s an opportunity to visit the City of Ottawa Archives and our museums and historic sites, to further explore and discover the people and events that helped shape our community.  Visit ottawa.ca for more information on our bicentennial year.