Living Library – Bytown 200

Beechwood’s Annual Living Library – Bytown 200Join us at Beechwood Cemetery for the Annual Historical Tour, a unique event that brings history to life. This year, we celebrate the incredible stories of those who helped build Bytown. Presented as a living library, this immersive experience features performances by the Ottawa School of Theatre. Attendees will receive a map to explore the cemetery at their leisure, visiting stations where actors will portray these remarkable individuals at their graveside. James Slater and Esther Sparks Slater (Section 48, Lot 1) – Engineer, surveyor, and superintendent of the Rideau Canal, James Dyson Slater helped build and maintain critical transportation infrastructure that supported the growth of Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley. William Pittman Lett (Section 34, Lot 28 NW) –Ottawa’s first and longest-serving city clerk, William Pittman Lett served as the city’s leading chronicler, poet, and civic advocate. John Bower Lewis (Section 34, Lot 8 E) – A prominent lawyer and two-time mayor, John Bower Lewis played a key role in Ottawa’s early governance and helped persuade Queen Victoria to select Ottawa as Canada’s capital. Jenney Simpson (Section 41, Lot 120 NW) –Artist, historian, and curator, Jenny Russell Simpson preserved and promoted Ottawa’s heritage by transforming the Bytown Museum into a professional historical institution and championing Canadian historical preservation. Event Details: Location: Beechwood Cemetery- Starting location is the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave Time: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Format: Self-guided tour through the grounds with interactive performances Arrive before 3:00 PM to fully enjoy this historical journey. Recommendations: Dress appropriately for the weather Sunscreen and bug spray In case of rain, the event will be held inside the Beechwood National Memorial Centre. For more information, contact us by phone at 613-741-9530 or by email at foundation@beechwoodottawa.ca No registration needed!