Many different people, groups and organizations have lived and worked in Battery Lodge. The local militia, acting as castle guards, lived there during the Rebellion of 1837-1838, in order to guard MacNab and his family. The artist W.C. Forster lived in Battery Lodge from the spring to the autumn of 1869, on the offer of his good friend Professor McGann, principal of the deaf school in the Castle. During his time there, Forster painted the famous Hamilton oil painting, "Dundurn Castle Battlement House".
MacInnes' groundskeeper, also later a Dundurn Park superintendent , Samuel Weaver, lived in the Battery Lodge with his family from 1898 to 1906, when they moved to the Castle. The Castle caretaker, Roy Fox, and his family lived in Battery Lodge in the mid 1930's.
In June 1971, four months after they were established, the Hamilton and Region Arts Council moved into Battery Lodge. They renovated the building for symposiums, exhibitions and workshops, and were located there until 1973. Battery Lodge was left empty for a year after they moved out.
In the 1970's, when Battery Lodge was still in danger of being destroyed, many people suggested special uses for it. Some of the most interesting ones were a tea room and information centre, a stately government home for special celebrations and a steak house.
On November 14, 1976, after Battery Lodge had been moved and renovated at a cost of $350,000, the Hamilton Military Museum opened there.