Born into slavery in Kentucky, Paul Barber, was one of Ottawa’s earliest Black permanent residents and a renowned horse trainer, founding a family that has made its mark in the capital for over a century.

Tom Barber, Paul Barber's grandson, shares the remarkable story of his family and their important role in Ottawa’s past, as well as reflecting on other immigrant groups that have come to make the nation’s capital their home.

View this recording of Tom Barber’s February 2022 HSO Speaker Series presentation: www.historicalsocietyottawa.ca/resources/videos/speaker-series/the-barber-family-our-proud-place-in-ottawa-s-history