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

Historical Society Articles

  • The May Court Club of Ottawa Celebrates 125 Years & The Bytown Museum Opens for the 2023 Season

    21 May 2023 Speakers Presentations
    Our final in-person speaker session of the year, hosted by the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public Library on May 10th 2023, featured presentations from two organizations with whom we have some past connections. Grant Vogl has been with the Bytown Museum since 2010 and is now the Senior Manager,…

  • Ottawa Art and Artists by Jim Burant

    6 May 2023 Speakers Presentations
    On April 26, 2023, Jim Burant led us on a brisk virtual walk through the history of art in the Ottawa area. Jim was an Adjunct Professor of Art History at Carleton University as well as the Director of the Ontario Region of the National Archival Appraisal Board of Canada.…

  • Uncovering Our Region’s Ancient Past

    30 April 2023 Speakers Presentations
    The Historical Society of Ottawa was honoured to welcome back Dr. Jean-Luc Pilon as the featured speaker at the April 12, 2023, speaker series session, hosted by the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public Library. Dr. Pilon is a renowned archeologist, long-time curator of Central Canada archaeology at the Canadian Museum of…

  • Slavery in Upper Canada

    4 April 2023 Speakers Presentations
    To mark Black History Month, our February 22, 2023 Virtual Speaker Series presentation featured Glenn Sweazey, who revealed to us the (gradual) end of slavery in Upper Canada. Glenn spent his career as a High School English teacher and is now a writer living in Ottawa. His work weaves elements…

Upcoming Events

Jun 7 2023
7:00PM - Online via Zoom

HSO Annual General Meeting

View Full Calendar

Special Event

30

July

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Historical Society of Ottawa 125th Anniversary Celebration

Beechwood Cemetery, 80 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa (Main Building)

View Details

Ottawa Stories

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

old house

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