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Historical Language Advisory

Certain parts of the HSO pamphlet series may contain historical language and content that some may consider offensive, for example, language used to refer to racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. These items, their content and descriptions, reflect the time period in which they were created and the viewpoint of their author. The items are presented with their original text to ensure that attitudes and viewpoints are not erased from the record.

We are continuing the process of reviewing our historical documents. If you see text with inappropriate language or content that you think HSO should review, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please include as many details as possible regarding the language or content which requires our attention such as the pamphlet title or the permalink to the document. And kindly indicate "document review" in the title of your email. We welcome your comments.

Title Description Download
118. Ahearn and Soper — The Electrification of Ottawa
 2.15 MB
In the late 19th century, two young telegraphers, Thomas Ahearn and Warren Soper, recognized the value of hydroelectric power in electrifying the National Capital Region. They contributed much towards making Ottawa a capital worthy of the 20th century. The story of their partnership is told by Bryan D. Cook. Download ( pdf )
117. Past, Present, Future: The Preservation and Adaptation of Ottawa’s Built Heritage
 1.12 MB
Comprising the thoughts of three fierce champions of built heritage conservation in Ottawa—architect Barry Padolsky, developer Sandy Smallwood, and heritage advocate David Flemming. Based on interviews conducted by HSO and illustrated with examples of their projects over the last 50 years. Written by Ben Weiss and Nivethini Jekku Einkaran. Download ( pdf )
116. Poetry of the Chaudière
 1.05 MB
A compilation of poetry written between 1856 and 2019, inspired by the Ottawa River’s Chaudière Falls in the heart of the National Capital Region; with contemporary commentaries on the individual poems by Bryan D. Cook. Download ( pdf )
115. Lord Elgin’s Visit to Bytown And the Reminiscences of Mary Anne By Friel
 1.09 MB
Mary Friel’s 1901 account of Governor General Lord Elgin’s visit to Bytown in 1853, with historical context on Elgin’s role in introducing responsible government, written by James Powell. Download ( pdf )
114. Ottawa Mobilized - A Geographic Record of the City in Wartime
 1016.9 KB
Detailed historical descriptions of the extensive real estate constructed for and occupied by the military units established in Ottawa over the last 200 years, written by Richard Collins. Download ( pdf )
113. Prize Money: Spanish Silver & the Rideau Canal
 1.13 MB
Alastair Sweeny Download ( pdf )
112. Genteel Woman in Need: Maud Lampman, First Woman Appointed to Work on Parliament Hill
 1.51 MB
Dianne Brydon Download ( pdf )
111. The Store – A Personal History of Larocque’s
 1.07 MB
Robert Vineberg Download ( pdf )
110. The Ottawa Canoe Club 1883–1913
 1.31 MB
Alan B. McCullough Download ( pdf )
109. Ottawa's Historic Vineyards
 1.2 MB
James Powell and Karen Lynn Ouellette Download ( pdf )
108. Mayor John Scott’s Portrait, Its Conservation and Continuing Mystery
 835.63 KB
James Powell Download ( pdf )
107. Ottawa River Settlements in 1833 as described by Dr. Alexander J. Christie
 2.84 MB
George A. Neville and Iris M. Neville Download ( pdf )
106. Protests and Affordable Housing Policy Delayed: Urban Renewal and the Demolition of LeBreton Flats New!
 907.21 KB
LeBreton Flats was an Ottawa neighbourhood expropriated and demolished by the National Capital Commission in the 1960s; about 600 families lost their homes. In her winning essay submitted from the University of Ottawa for the 2018 Colonel By Award in History, the author analyzes how LeBreton residents reacted to the loss of their community. By Katharine Van der Veen. Download ( pdf )
105. When Ottawa Welcomed the Empire through a Yorkshireman's Lens
 1.66 MB
In 2017 the HSO received some mystery photographs from an English historical society, taken around 1900 in Canada. Intensive sleuthing revealed why the photographer visited Ottawa and his itinerary across Canada. Includes discussion of trade policy in the British Empire. By James Powell and Bryan D. Cook. Download ( pdf )
104. Our "Capitol" Wrens
 1.3 MB
The story of the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service in WW II, and how members maintained contact afterwards. With special emphasis on Wrens who served as wireless telegraphists and were associated with the Ottawa area. Written by Doris Grierson Hope who received the Bletchley Park pin for her service. Download ( pdf )
103. Loyalist Land Grants Along the Grand (Ottawa) River, 1788
 1.15 MB
Contains transcriptions of assignees’ names and acreages from Patrick McNiff’s 1788 survey maps of Loyalist land grants on both sides of the Ottawa River, east of Ottawa. Includes background on the land grant policy of the day and surveyor McNiff. By George Neville. Download ( pdf )
102. Martin O'Gara, Ottawa's First Irish Catholic Police Magistrate, 1863-1899
 1.03 MB
Widely respected as Ottawa’s police magistrate and a police commissioner for 36 years, as a founder of the University of Ottawa’s Law Faculty and of the Ottawa East community, Martin O’Gara was a pillar of the Irish Catholic community. Overlooked by history, his life and times have been meticulously researched and recorded by Elizabeth V. Krug. Download ( pdf )
101. Controversy, Compromise and Celebration: The History of Canada's National Flag
 117.23 KB
By Glenn Wright (this bilingual book is only available in print). Download ( pdf )
100. Canada's Bletchley Park: The Examination Unit in Ottawa's Sandy Hill, 1941-1945
 117.23 KB
By Diana Pepall (available only in print). Download ( pdf )
099. A Mayor's Life: John Scott, First Mayor of Bytown (1824-1857)
 694.37 KB
Bytown’s first mayor, John Scott, was a prominent young lawyer and also the first Reform candidate elected for Bytown to the first Reform government in Canada. He was potentially a brilliant politician had he not died at age 33. Tyler Owens commemorates Scott’s previously unheralded role in Bytown’s formative years. Download ( pdf )

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