Working to preserve Ottawa's past
for future generations.
Diversity Policy
HSO’s Declaration on Diversity of Perspective 2021 (updated)
HSO's Acknowledgement
The Historical Society of Ottawa's mission, since its founding in 1898, has been to preserve and increase public knowledge of our local history.
We acknowledge that, in pursuing this mission, we have often done so within a narrow cultural perspective that has not always been inclusive of the equally important perspectives of those among us of different race, national or ethnic origin, mother tongue, colour, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
We are dedicated to highlighting the diverse experiences of Indigenous peoples, racialized groups, under-represented communities (including but not limited to children/youth, low income/in poverty, women, elderly, etc.), 2SLGBTQI+ groups, and others, who continue to enrich our communities.
HSO's Commitment
- HSO shall do its utmost to ensure that our presentations, publications, and activities consider diverse cultural perspectives and address past and present injustices.
- In further support of this commitment The Historical Society of Ottawa officially recognizes and embraces the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024)
In doing so, The Historical Society of Ottawa acknowledges the roles that the slave trade, colonialism, systemic racism, and civil and human rights violations have played in our history and which continue to resonate in present times.
Pamphlets
If you interested in having a more in-depth knowledge of Ottawa rich and diverse history, the HSO’ s Bytown Pamphlet series is for you!
Since the early 1980s, the Society has regularly published monographs on various aspects of Ottawa’s history. These monographs are available free to members and through the Ottawa Public Library, Library and Archives Canada, and the City of Ottawa Archives. We are currently in the process of scanning and digitizing all of our pamphlets to make them more accessible to the general public.
The first introductory pamphlet produced by the Historical Society of Ottawa contains excerpts from an address on the history of the Historical Society given by E.M. Taylor before the Ontario Genealogical Society (Ottawa Branch) on March 22, 1976.
Pamphlet Series
A number of the Society's pamphlets are available in digital format to download free of charge.
Contact Us
Questions, queries, suggestions, comments? We'd love to hear from you!
The Historical Society of Ottawa
Box 523, Station "B",
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5P6
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Follow Us
Marconi Radio Station, CFCF, formerly XWA, Montreal, circa 1922Read the story
Books
On occasion, the Society publishes substantive research in the form of a book.
Prices of books vary — as shown below — and the cost of postage is extra.
To order, please contact the Historical Society of Ottawa by mail or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
| Title | Author | Date Published | Member Price | Non-member Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Introducing William Pittman Lett, Ottawa's First City Clerk and Bard, 1819-1892 | Bryan D. Cook | 2015 | $15.00 | $20.00 |
 |
To Be Continued . . . A Short History of The Historical Society of Ottawa | Dave Mullington | 2013 | $10.00 | $15.00 |
 |
Controversy, Compromise and Celebration: The History of Canada’s National Flag (bilingual) Controverses, compromis et célébrations : L’histoire du drapeau national du Canada (bilingue) |
Glenn Wright | 2017 | $10.00 | $15.00 |
Looking for more local history books? Check out these titles available from the Cumberland Township Historical Society.
Meetings of the Historical Society of Ottawa
All are welcome, admission is free.
Our Speaker Series consists of in-person presentations and virtual (Zoom) presentations, in English and in French.
Our monthly English-language in-person Speaker Series presentations generally begin at 1:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public Library (120 Metcalfe St).
Our monthly French-language in-person Speaker Series presentations generally begin at 1:00 p.m. the St. Laurent Branch of the Ottawa Public Library (515 rue Coté).
Both library locations are wheelchair accessible.
Our monthly virtual Speaker Series presentations, via Zoom, generally begin at 7 p.m. Attendees may use the Zoom captions function to provide English language subtitles for French language presentations (and French language subtitles for English language presentations).
In addition, we conduct an Annual General Meeting (AGM), normally in May, an occasion for the board of directors to report on projects and activities during the preceding year and offer insight into plans for the future. All members are eligible to vote for candidates for the board of directors.
Interested in learning more about our Speaker Series or volunteering to help with our events? Please contact us by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
See below for our full schedule of upcoming presentations.
Upcoming Meetings
 Guest Speaker: Joan O’Malley
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 Guest Speaker: Michel Prévost
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 Guest Speaker: Paul Weber
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View the full calendar
Past Meetings Reports
Publications Policy
The Society shall publish reports in its Bytown Pamphlet Series on research which meets the Society’s objectives, and is either required of students under awards supported by the Society, or unsolicited from members or non-members, subject to passing an editorial review process approved by majority vote of the Board and to priorities dictated by the Society’s objectives and resources.
One copy of each report shall be distributed to each member in good standing as of its date of publication; others may buy copies at a price to be determined by a majority vote of the Board. Two copies of each published Bytown Pamphlet shall be sent to Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario for legal deposit and registration under ISBN and ISSN. Two copies shall be deposited in the Historical Society of Ottawa holdings at the City of Ottawa Archives.
All manuscripts should be submitted to the Director for Publications or the Publications Committee. In accordance with the Copyright Act (R.S.C. 1970, c C-30, s.5), ownership of this intellectual material remains with the author for life plus 50 years, unless signed away to someone else. HSO published formats are copyright of the HSO and shall only be reproduced with the consent of the Director for Publications or the Publications Committee. A copyright release, as follows and also available from the Publications Committee, shall also require authors to assume responsibilities to verify the copyright status of quotations and illustrations which they have provided for use in their reports, and to ensure appropriate citation of sources.
For inquiries regarding publications, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Copyright Release
The Historical Society of Ottawa
Publications Committee
The Historical Society of Ottawa,
Postal Box 523, Station B, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5P6
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Contributor’s Certification
Manuscript Title ________________________________________________________
Publication Title ________________________________________________________
I certify that:
I have acquired permission to reproduce any previously copyrighted material which I have provided for use in my manuscript including, inter alia , sources, quotations and illustrations for which I have given accurate citation in the manuscript;
I agree to transfer to The Historical Society of Ottawa (HSO) publishing rights to the manuscript: that is, without relinquishing my proprietary rights as author, I transfer to HSO the rights to reproduce and distribute the article in HSO format, including figures and graphic reproductions, and the right to adapt the manuscript to conform to HSO publishing standards; and
(Please strike out one):
I agree that the article may be reprinted or copied for non-profit use by individuals and organizations without my written permission, providing proper credit is given to the source of the item
or
I require that the article should be accompanied by the copyright symbol (©) denoting that
the article may not be printed or copied without my written permission.
Signature: ____________________________________
Printed Name: ____________________________________
Date: _______________________
What We Do
The Historical Society of Ottawa (HSO) is Ottawa’s oldest historical organization. It was founded in 1898 by a group of prominent Ottawa women interested in the preservation of Canada’s rich historical heritage at a time when there were few Canadian museums and little government funding for such activities. Initially known as the Women’s Canadian Historical Society of Ottawa, the Society changed its name in 1955 when men were allowed to participate as full members.
The Society’s objective is to preserve and increase public knowledge of the history of Ottawa, including its people and places, through publications, meetings, tours, awards, sponsored research, participation in local heritage events; and to support and encourage heritage conservation.
At monthly meetings, held from September to June, guest speakers inform and engage members in a wide range of topics related to the history of Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley. The monthly meetings are open to the general public as well as to members at no cost. Society members also receive a quarterly newsletter, and copies of HSO’s “Pamphlet Series” that examine local historical issues. The Society also organizes one-day bus tours for its members and guests to historic sites in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec.
The Society is the official patron of the Ottawa Regional Heritage Fair for area youth (Grades 5-9) which is held annually. At the Fair, the Society presents awards in recognition of research excellence in subjects relevant to Ottawa’s history.
The Society welcomes everybody with a love of history and an interest in Ottawa’s heritage, irrespective of race, religion, sex, age, country of origin, or any other attribute.
The Historical Society of Ottawa is a non-profit organization and a registered charity - Registration no.: BN 10748 4081 RR 0001. To make a donation, see our online donation form. Many thanks! A charitable receipt for income tax purposes will be issued for donations. Please note that a receipt for tax purposes cannot be issued for membership fees.
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