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.

Timber raft on the Ottawa River, date unknown, John William Woolsey and family fonds, Library and Archives Canada, I.D. No. 319157.

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.

HSO Articles

  • "Island on Fire": Free 3-Part Saturday Morning “Book Club” Workshop

    8 January 2023 HSO News
    Dates: FEBRUARY 25, MARCH 25 & APRIL 22, 2023 10:30 am - 12:30 pm Place: OTTAWA PUBLIC LIBRARY MEETING ROOM -- 120 Metcalfe Street Learn the story of how the forces of literacy and revolution brought an end to slavery in the British Empire This three-part workshop will be based…

  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

    2 January 2023 HSO News
    As most of our older members, but few of our newer members know, the HSO is in strong financial shape because of former president George Neville’s prudent leadership. And now the next generation of directors are having fun finding meaningful projects to support around town that showcase local history. On…

  • Jimmy Carter: Chalk River and Beyond

    4 December 2022 Speakers Presentations
    Over the years, the Historical Society of Ottawa has had many presentations about people who have had a significant impact on the history of Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley, and we’ve always been able to count on guest speakers who have researched their subject well, but its quite rare to…

  • HSO Presents: Our Land, Our People — The Algonquins

    24 November 2022 HSO News
    REGISTER at http://tinyurl.com/HSO-30-Nov-2022 for our free online presentation scheduled for Wednesday, November 30th at 7pm. The Ottawa Valley has been home to the proud Algonquin people for as many as 8,000 years. Long before the arrival of Europeans, the Algonquins lived, hunted trapped, fished, socialized and traded on both sides…

Upcoming Events

Feb 8 2023
1:00PM - Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch Auditorium

Double Feature: Where did our Prime Minsters Live? & The History of Street Art in Ottawa

Hagit Hadaya | Emma Kent

Feb 22 2023
7:00PM - Online via Zoom

The End of Slavery in Upper Canada

Glenn Sweazey & June Girvan

Mar 8 2023
1:00PM - Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch Auditorium

Double Feature: Ottawa's Kiwanis Club & Those First 90 Days of COVID

Phil Rossy | Sam Laprade

View Full Calendar

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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