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

PO Box 523, Station B, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5P6
Slide 1 - With Welcome Message - Bottom

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.

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

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Upcoming Events

Feb 7 2026
French-language
1:00PM
Ottawa Public Library, St-Laurent Branch, 515 Coté Street

Avant Bytown: La région sous le Régime français

Feb 11 2026
Evening Series
7:00PM
Online via Zoom

Algonquin Anishinaabeg of the Ottawa River Valley: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Lynn Gehl, Ph.D

Feb 23 2026
Afternoon Series
1:00PM
Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch Auditorium

The Ottawa Mosque (and the Ottawa Muslim Association)

Mohamed Ghadban

Mar 28 2026
Afternoon Series
1:30PM
Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch Auditorium

The Rideau Canal

Allison Margot Smith

View Full Calendar

Ottawa Stories

Ottawa has an interesting and varied history.
Enjoy stories from our Bytown and Rideau Canal Bicentennial collection or discover other Ottawa stories.

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