THE INN AND ITS MUSEUM
Touch the image to view a short video on the Symmes Inn.
Situated on the banks of Lac Deschênes and the Ottawa River, the Symmes Inn was built in 1831 by Charles Symmes, founder of Aylmer and nephew of Philemon Wright. It is the centerpiece of Aylmer’s heritage, cultural and tourist district, which is the most significant and best preserved area of Gatineau’s time-honored buildings. The Symmes Inn is a local history museum dedicated to preserving the regional heritage of the area..
HOURS, FEES AND LOCATION
OFF-SEASON HOURS
From March through May and from Labour Day to the last Sunday in October:
The Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 5 pm.
SUMMER HOURS
From the first Sunday in June to Labour Day:
The Museum is open Tuesdays to Sunday, from noon to 6 pm.
ADMISSION FEE
Admission to the museum is free; however, donations are appreciated.
LOCATION
Symmes Inn Museum
1, Front Street, (corner of rue Principale)
Gatineau, Qc J9H 4W8
Telephone : 819 682-0291
Email: symmesreception@gmail.com
Located at the entrance of Aylmer Marina. Free parking.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
The Office of Charles Symmes Escape Room.
Take the leap to the 19th century and come solve the mystery and escape the office of Charles Symmes before it’s too late! From May 6th to October 29th, 2023*, you can test your puzzle-solving skills under pressure at the Symmes Inn Museum by trying to escape from our brand new escape room, The Office of Charles Symmes.
Cost: $15 per participant, groups of 2 to 4 people.
Click here for more information and to book your tickets!
PERMANENT EXHIBITION
Symmes Inn: Windows onto the Ottawa River
The exhibition recounts the various functions attributed to the Symmes Inn location over the centuries. The building’s windows, many of which look onto the Ottawa River, invite visitors to discover the river’s past through notable historical figures and five themes: the river as a landing place, a busy waterway, a hive of industrial activity, a passage for steamboats and a leisure attraction. The exhibition is presented on 2 floors. Note: The second and third floors are not accessible by elevator.
Illustrations of people have been designed by Paule Thibault.
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION
By Forests et Rivers, Men of Courage
A tribute to lumberjacks, log drivers and raftsmen who, by their temerity and courage, contributed to the growth of the forest industry in the Outaouais Region.
Porcelain Dolls
The museum presents a new temporary exhibition entitled “Porcelain Dolls”. These dolls, each more beautiful than the others, were handcrafted by Hélène Chartrand (Leduc), an Aylmer resident (1948-2023)
OUR PARTNERS
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