Home - The Historical Society of Ottawa

Working to preserve Ottawa's past
for future generations.

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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

Save the Date!
22 June 2020 HSO News
The Board of Directors of The Historical Society of Ottawa announces that the Society's 2019 Annual General Meeting will be held via Zoom video conferencing on Wednesday, 22nd July, 2020 at 7:00 pm. All members are cordially invited to participate in this historic event. Easy-to-follow instructions on how to join…
An Important Message from the Governor General of Canada
5 May 2020 HSO News
Dear members of the Historical Society of Ottawa, As patron of your organization, I wanted to send along my best wishes to you during these difficult times. I hope you are well. Wherever you are and whatever you do, you are facing a historic and unprecedented challenge alongside people and…
HSO Annual General Meeting Postponed
18 April 2020 HSO News
Owing to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency, our President, Karen Lynn Ouellette, unanimously supported by the Society’s Board of Directors, announces that the Society’s Annual General Meeting, scheduled to be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public Library, has been postponed. The meeting will…
HSO 2020 All Saints Luncheon
9 March 2020 Special Events
Reception & Lunch, Plus Music by Paul Weber The HSO was blessed with exceptionally good weather for this event as the Society Members and other attendees arrived, registered and chose their seats in “Borden Hall” (in its previous incarnation, the church’s “nave” or main area). The dining area, its pews…

Upcoming Events

Jul 22 2020

7:00PM

HSO Annual General Meeting

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Special Event

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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.

old house

Asphalt Paving Comes to Ottawa
30 July 1895 North American roads in the nineteenth century were bad…very bad. Inter-urban “highways”…
Read more...
The Last Timber Raft
8 July 1908 These days, Ottawa has become a synonym for “the government” much to…
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Julie Payette800

Photo credit: Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall © OSGG-BSGG, 2017

Our Patron

Julie Payette

The Governor General, Her Excellency, The Right Honourable Julie Payette, has kindly consented to be our Patron, continuing a tradition that began more than a century ago.

Learn More