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PO Box 523, Station B,
Ottawa, ON, K1P 5P6

PO Box 523, Station B, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5P6
Slide 1 - With Welcome Message - Bottom

Lady and Lord Aberdeen with the National Council of Women at Rideau Hall, shortly before their return to the United Kingdom, October 1898, Topley Studios/Library and Archives Canada, PA-029033

Truss Bridge over the Chaudière Falls, Ottawa River, watercolour by John Burrows, 1828, Library and Archives Canada, I.D. No. 2833217.

Welcome

The Historical Society of Ottawa (HSO) is Ottawa’s oldest historical organization.The principal aim of the Society is to increase public knowledge of the history of Ottawa and the surrounding region through meetings, tours, awards, publications, and sponsored research.

Historical Society Articles

  • The HSO 2026 Bytown200 Bicentennial Storytelling Challenge

    1 June 2025 Society News
    Let’s hear your stories about Bytown and the Rideau Canal as we begin to mark 2026, the 200th anniversary of the beginning of both! All contributions are welcome. Selected submissions will be shared on a special webpage on the HSO website for all to access, including educators. Eligible contributions can…

  • HSO Representative Addresses National Rotary Club Youth

    26 May 2025 Society News
    The HSO’s Ben Weiss was honoured to be invited to address the 200 or so Rotary Club youth gathered in Ottawa on May 25, 2025, for the opening day of the Rotary Club’s annual Adventure in Citizenship conference. The day also included a visit to the House of Commons by…

  • HSO/Rogers TV Series - Time Travelling

    17 May 2025 Society News
    For those with a passion for history, delving into the past becomes an exciting adventure in “Time Travelling”! These new 30-minute episodes of “Time Travelling… with the Historical of Ottawa”, recorded in collaboration between the HSO and Rogers TV, provide a phenomenal opportunity to sit back and enjoy some wonderful…

  • Every City’s History is Written in its Ashes

    16 May 2025 Special Events
    The Historical Society of Ottawa’s Museum Club began its 2025 season on Friday May 2nd, 2025. On that afternoon, fifteen members and guests received a private guided tour of the Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society facility at 2880 Sheffield Road, by their President, Peter McBride. Peter kept us all enthralled…
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Upcoming Events

Jun 29 2025
Special Events
1:00PM
The Diefenbunker

Diefenbunker HSO Guided Tour

3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, ON, K0A 1L0

Jul 1 2025
Special Events
All Day
Stanley Park, New Edinburgh, Ottawa

Chief Pinesi Day - Volunteer Opportunity

Sep 21 2025
Afternoon Series
1:30PM
Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch Auditorium

My Story As Canada’s “Betsy Ross”

Joan O’Malley

Oct 4 2025
French-language
1:00PM
Ottawa Public Library, St-Laurent Branch, 515 Coté Street

Jos Montferrand - Roi des forêts de l'Outaouais ou piler de taverne?

Michel Prévost

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Ottawa Stories

Ottawa has an interesting and varied history.
Enjoy stories from this month in history or discover other Ottawa stories.

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