Founded in 1917 by the Women's Canadian Historical Society of Ottawa (WCHSO),[1] the Bytown Museum was originally located in the former City Registry Office at 70 Nicholas Street, across from the Carleton County Gaol.

The first exhibition, held in 1899 at 116 Sparks Street, included the tinted stone lithograph City of Ottawa, Canada West (c. 1859) by Stent and Laver Architects, and three photo-based engravings (1862) by Elihu Spencer depicting the construction of the Parliament and the Departmental Buildings.

"[5][6] Many Ottawa figures contributed to refurbishment of the space for the WCHSO: Thomas Ahearn provided appliances, J.R. Booth redid the floors, and the governor of the gaol sent inmates across the street to paint and decorate the interior.

[citation needed] When the Commissariat Building was closed from 1982 to 1985 by Parks Canada for restoration work, the museum was temporarily relocated to Wellington Street.

The third floor continues the narrative by examining the development of the city of Ottawa, the social and cultural life of Victorian times, the assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee and the burning of the Parliament Buildings, as well as Canada's involvement in international conflicts.