Callie Foster, an HSO member and high school student, commends the Bytown Museum’s Virtual Tour as an excellent example of how technology can make history more fully accessible to all, and can contribute to preserving these important stories for generations to come.
In the age where technology is able to connect us more than ever before, we now see history made accessible through virtual experiences. The Bytown Museum’s Permanent Gallery online tour offers a captivating way to explore Ottawa’s rich past without leaving your home. This resource is so valuable when it comes to understanding the importance of accessible history, especially in a world where technology is deeply integrated into nearly every aspect of life.
The Bytown Museum virtual tour takes visitors through the museum’s historic building room by room, with detailed views of artifacts, and informative descriptions. From early settler history to development of Ottawa as Canada’s capital, each display is thoughtfully curated. The navigation tools are simple to use, similar to that of Google maps. You can explore the building at your own pace, deciding which objects pique your interest, and clicking on the buttons that display more information. Even from behind a screen, the atmosphere of the museum is present. Walking through the virtual tour feels just like walking through the real thing, yet at the tip of your fingers.
For many, visiting in person isn’t always an option. Whether it's due to mobility challenges, distance, scheduling conflicts, or other circumstances, virtual tours ensure that history remains open and accessible to everyone. Virtual options benefit teachers, students, those with mobility challenges, researchers, tourists, those without transportation, and many others. This incredible resource is especially important for history lovers who may otherwise never get the chance to step inside the Bytown Museum. We are living in a world where everyone is able to explore the rich history of Ottawa, and it's important to recognize how special that is.
Experiencing the virtual tour of the Bytown Museum gave me a deeper appreciation for the role technology plays in heritage preservation and education. As a high school student, I can vouch for the fact that homework has been primarily online as of late. Accessing an online tour of the Bytown Museum that allows you to tour whenever and wherever you want is so groundbreaking. This resource has benefited me, and I’m sure it will benefit many students like me in years to come. Not only do these virtual platforms help us share knowledge widely, they also serve as a bridge between past and present, encouraging curiosity and engagement in ways that traditional visits sometimes can’t.
As a part of my co-op with the Historical Society of Ottawa, this project reminded me that making history accessible isn’t just a nice bonus, it's a responsibility. If it is possible, why not make it happen? The Bytown Museum’s virtual tour is an excellent example of how we can meet that responsibility, bringing local stories to a global audience and ensuring they are preserved for generations to come.
Visit the Bytown Museum’s virtual tour: https://bytownmuseum.ca/en/exhibitions/virtual-tours/
