{"id":788481,"date":"2026-07-08T15:31:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T15:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/788481\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T15:31:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T15:31:12","slug":"carleton-alum-brings-ottawas-history-to-life-at-bytown-museum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/788481\/","title":{"rendered":"Carleton Alum Brings Ottawa’s History to Life at Bytown Museum"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nestled between Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal Locks sits the Bytown Museum<\/a>, dedicated to sharing the history of the region \u2014 as unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory, the founding of Bytown and the City of Ottawa we know today.<\/p>\n

This September will mark 200 years since the beginning of the construction of the Rideau Canal, led by Lieutenant Colonel By and the establishment of the settlement of Bytown.<\/p>\n

Exhibition and Collections Manager Chloe Dennis is helping lead the museum\u2019s bicentennial activities through a new temporary exhibition exploring Ottawa\u2019s past, present and future.<\/p>\n

\"ABytown Museum Exhibition and Collections Manager Chloe Dennis<\/p>\n

\u201cOur approach for the bicentennial is to recognize this huge event that happened in our city\u2019s history and acknowledge that the history of the area began before 1826 with the Anishinaabe Algonquin people, for whom the canal disrupted their way of life,\u201d explains Dennis.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur exhibit continues beyond 2026 because the city\u2019s story is ongoing.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Carleton alum, Dennis completed a bachelor\u2019s degree in history<\/a> followed by a master\u2019s degree in public history<\/a>. She credits her co-op and internship experiences for launching her career working in museums.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Bytown Museum in Ottawa<\/p>\n

Building Work Experience While Studying<\/p>\n

Originally from the Greater Toronto Area, Dennis was drawn to Carleton\u2019s history program because of its academic depth and her ability to build work experience as part of the degree. Adding in the university\u2019s picturesque campus and proximity to Canada\u2019s national museums, the decision was easy.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cStepping foot on campus, I knew that this was where I wanted to be,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that Carleton had a history program with a co-op option really sealed the deal for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis completed three co-op placements during her undergraduate studies, taking on roles at Carleton\u2019s MacOdrum Library<\/a>, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and the Department of National Defence.<\/p>\n

Enrolling in the Master of Public History allowed Dennis to continue to build her experience in the field.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

\u201cThe internship was a really appealing part of the public history program,\u201d says Dennis.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew I wanted to work with the public in a museum, so it was a really good fit.\u201d<\/p>\n

For her internship, Dennis spent a year in the curatorial department at Ingenium, the organization that oversees Canada\u2019s three national museums of science and innovation. The experience helped her build a professional network that continues to support her work today.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven now working at the Bytown, I\u2019ve been in contact with Ingenium folks I worked with on different projects.\u201d<\/p>\n

The internship also provided a portfolio of experience she could share with future employers.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy experience working on digital projects in my master\u2019s program and Ingenium internship helped me demonstrate that I\u2019ve done these projects before and can lead them,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Her Carleton connections continued at Bytown, working with the Carleton Immersive Media Studio (CIMS)<\/a> to create 3D model artifacts and develop an interactive storytelling website.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the Digital Initiatives lead, I learned so much about our community and our audiences,\u201d says Dennis. \u201cNow we\u2019re launching a new temporary exhibition for the city\u2019s bicentennial. It\u2019s super exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AChloe Dennis delivers a speech at an event inside the Bytown Museum<\/p>\n

Marking Ottawa\u2019s Bicentennial<\/p>\n

The museum\u2019s new exhibition, What\u2019s in a Frame? 200+ Years of Community Portraits, showcases Ottawa\u2019s history through a collection of painted portraits, objects and photography that tell the story of residents, both past and present.<\/p>\n

\u201cOttawa continues to be a place of strong community because of the people who call it home,\u201d says Dennis.<\/p>\n

The museum worked with multiple community organizations to identify portrait subjects. It also partnered with Elgin Street Public School, inviting grade three students to draw portraits of themselves and share what they love about Ottawa. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got about four children\u2019s portraits framed and about 50 more in a digital showcase,\u201d says Dennis.<\/p>\n

Visitors can also contribute to the exhibition by drawing their own portrait or sharing a personal Ottawa story as part of an evolving community gallery.<\/p>\n

The museum is open to the public every day until the end of the summer, providing audio guides in 10 languages.<\/p>\n

\"FiveDennis (middle) and other staff members at the Bytown Museum celebrate Ottawa\u2019s bicentennial<\/p>\n

Community Engagement and Career Paths<\/p>\n

Dennis says the lessons she learned at Carleton continue to shape her approach to public history, particularly the importance of community engagement.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the museum, I\u2019m able to make personal connections with community members and really work with them to share stories,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe importance of sharing authority is something that was instilled in me during my degree.\u201d<\/p>\n

She encourages future students to pursue their interests when choosing a degree to help them build a career, especially as many programs offer professional experience to ease the transition into the working world.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to follow what you\u2019re passionate about,\u201d says Dennis. \u201cHistory is a very good field to do that because it is so broad. There is a lot of room to explore and be creative.\u201d<\/p>\n

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June 11, 2026<\/p>\n

The Historian and the House Cats<\/p>\n

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