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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

  • HSO Representative Addresses National Rotary Club Youth

    26 May 2025 Society News
    The HSO’s Ben Weiss was honoured to be invited to address the 200 or so Rotary Club youth gathered in Ottawa on May 25, 2025, for the opening day of the Rotary Club’s annual Adventure in Citizenship conference. The day also included a visit to the House of Commons by…

  • The HSO 2026 Bytown200 Bicentennial Storytelling Challenge

    25 May 2025 Society News
    Let’s hear your stories about Bytown and the Rideau Canal as we begin to mark 2026, the 200th anniversary of the beginning of both! All contributions are welcome. Selected submissions will be shared on a special webpage on the HSO website for all to access, including educators. Eligible contributions can…

  • Time Travelling with the Historical Society of Ottawa

    16 May 2025 Society News
    Beginning on April 2, 2025, subscribers to Rogers TV will be able to enjoy a fascinating new weekly series, “Time Travelling with the Historical Society of Ottawa”, a collaboration between Rogers TV and the HSO. Each week's new episode will air Wednesday @ 7:30 p.m. and then be rebroadcast Friday…

  • Every City’s History is Written in its Ashes

    16 May 2025 Special Events
    The Historical Society of Ottawa’s Museum Club began its 2025 season on Friday May 2nd, 2025. On that afternoon, fifteen members and guests received a private guided tour of the Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society facility at 2880 Sheffield Road, by their President, Peter McBride. Peter kept us all enthralled…
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Upcoming Events

Jun 11 2025
Evening Series
7:00PM
Online via Zoom

HSO Annual General Meeting

Jun 16 2025
Afternoon Series
1:00PM
Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch Auditorium

A Life of John Buchan Beyond the Thirty-Nine Steps

Ursula Buchan

Jun 29 2025
Special Events
1:00PM
The Diefenbunker

Diefenbunker HSO Guided Tour

3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, ON, K0A 1L0

Jul 1 2025
Special Events
All Day
Stanley Park, New Edinburgh, Ottawa

Chief Pinesi Day - Volunteer Opportunity

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Ottawa Stories

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

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