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Originally located in the nearby McLean House (c. 1840), the Aylmer Museum (founded in 1987, and now called the Symmes Inn Museum) was an off-shoot of the Aylmer Heritage Association. Through its various activities, the Museum aims to bring local and regional history to life.
Themes of special interest include geology, First Nations peoples in the Outaouais, explorers, fur traders, the timber industry, steamboats, and others.By moving into the old Symmes Inn, the Museum is pursuing its main mission theme: the Ottawa River and its tributaries from the pre-European period to the present. 
Through its exhibitions, and in cooperation with local historical societies, colleges and universities, libraries, and others, the Museum seeks to popularize local and regional history, and encourage historical research and writing, thus contributing to a sense of identity among residents of Gatineau and the Outaouais.
A symbol of pride for the people of the region, the Symmes Inn was designated a historic monument in 1975, restored in 1978, and in 2002, proclaimed a “Heritage Gem” by the new city of Gatineau. Since 2003, the building has housed the Symmes Inn Museum, the regional history museum of the City of Gatineau.
The Museum is housed in the historic Symmes Inn, on the Aylmer waterfront.
Built by Charles Symmes in 1831 as a stop on the stagecoach / steamer route from Hull westward, the Inn changed hands many times before becoming a museum in 2003.
Situated on the banks of the Ottawa River, the Inn is a centrepiece of Aylmer’s heritage, cultural and tourist district, which is one of the best preserved historic districts in greater Gatineau.
Artifacts of local and regional historical significance.
Permanent, temporary, and travelling exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions focus on the history of the Outaouais region, as well as the history of Canada and North America.
The Museum also hosts various other special events, including an annual harvest festival, designed especially for children. (Please contact the museum for information).
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Summer: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fall: weekends or by reservation.
Membership: Individual - $15.00; Family - $20.00; Organization - $30.00
Student / Senior - $10.00
Patron - $50.00 or more
Free admission to the museum.
The Symmes Inn Museum is a non-profit organization that depends on donations and volunteers to operate.
Languages:
1 Front Street, P.O. Box 311, Gatineau (Secteur Aylmer), QC J9H 5E6.
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