Our popular Heritage Ottawa Free Lecture Series runs from September to June every year, and features a wide range of interesting speakers and topics pertaining to Ottawa's history and heritage.
Each February, we present the Phillips Memorial Lecture in honour of Heritage Ottawa’s co-founders, Bob and Mary Anne Phillips, two pioneers of heritage conservation in Ottawa.
Unless otherwise noted, lectures are free and are held at the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public Library, located at 120 Metcalfe Street at the corner of Laurier Avenue. Elevators are available and the room is wheelchair accessible.
Lectures begin at 7:00pm, last approximately one hour and are followed by an informal gathering.
There is no need to pre-register. We look forward to welcoming you at our next Heritage Ottawa event!
Thanks to our Lecture Series sponsors Andrex Holdings and the Ottawa Public Library.
Upcoming Lectures
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Tempting Values for Early Shoppers: The Birth of Ottawa’s Department StoresWednesday, December 12, 2018 - 19:00 to 21:00Dominion-Chalmers United Church355 Cooper Street ( use entrance on Lisgar Street )Ottawa, ON K2P 0G8CanadaThe department store was the product of an increasingly leisured middle class, a new consumer economy, and architectural innovations like plate glass windows, electric lights and passenger...
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The Algonquins of PikwàkanagànWednesday, January 16, 2019 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaJoin us for a special evening presentation by Pikwàkanagàn Elder Ron Bernard on the past and present of this vibrant Algonquin community.
Pikwàkanagàn, meaning “a hilly place,” is situated...
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Modern History: Preserving Canada’s legacy of modernismThursday, February 21, 2019 - 19:00 to 21:00Ottawa Art Gallery50 Mackenzie King BridgeOttawa, ON K1N 0C5CanadaHeritage Ottawa 2019 Phillips Memorial LectureThe architecture of the Modernist movement once spoke of the future. Now the buildings of the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s are past middle age. They need...
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Meet the Developers: Apartment Building Construction in Ottawa, 1900 to the PresentWednesday, March 20, 2019 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaAlthough developers of Ottawa’s apartment buildings are less well-known than the architects who designed them—after all, it is a building’s appearance that endures—it was these local entrepreneurs...
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NCC’s Assessment and Rescue of Archaeological Legacy in the Capital Region: Summary of ResultsWednesday, April 17, 2019 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaThe erosion of ancient shorelines along coasts and inland rivers and lakes due to sea level rise, and the increased frequency and severity of flooding has been characterized as a global crisis for...
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A Portrait of Canada’s Parliament: A new book on the architecture and history of the Centre BlockWednesday, June 19, 2019 - 19:00 to 21:00Orange Art Gallery290 City Centre AvenueOttawa, ON K1R 1C7CanadaA Canadian architectural and cultural marvel, Canada’s Parliament Building, or Centre Block, has been the focal point of Canadian parliamentary democracy for much of the past century. As the...
Past Lectures
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Preserving Canada’s Heritage: The Foundation for TomorrowWednesday, November 21, 2018 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaThe federal government, proud steward of many national historic sites and other designated heritage properties, has an important role to play in the preservation of Canada’s built heritage and...
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Emerging Scholars: Three Talks And a Pub NightTuesday, October 16, 2018 - 19:00 to 20:00Brigid's WellSt. Brigid's Centre for the Arts310 St. Patrick Street at CumberlandOttawa, ON K1N 5K5CanadaJoin us at 7pm for three informative talks by recent graduates. Each talk will be 15 to 20 minutes in duration and the audience will have an opportunity to pose questions to the speakers.
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Flora Hall Brewing: Crafting the Future of a Derelict BuildingThursday, September 27, 2018 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaFor decades, Ottawans have lamented the loss of one structure, or the slow demolition by neglect of another as the city grows and develops—too often leaving history in its wake.
This...
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Carved in stone: The Art of Architectural Stone CarvingWednesday, June 20, 2018 - 18:30 to 21:00Orange Art Gallery290 City Centre AvenueOttawa, ON K1R 1C7CanadaFrom the European guilds of the Gothic era to modern day digitally assisted techniques, John-Philippe Smith will discuss the history of stone carving as well as tales from his journey working as a...
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The Algonquins of PikwàkanagànWednesday, April 18, 2018 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2Canada= CANCELLED =April 16, 2018 — Heritage Ottawa regrets the cancellation of this lecture due to extenuating circumstances.
Join us for a special evening presentation by Pikwàkanagàn Elder...
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OMB Reform: Getting Heritage Planning RightWednesday, March 21, 2018 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaWe have all seen the problem. City Council-approved Official Plans, Neighbourhood Plans and Heritage Conservation District Guidelines – developed to safeguard communities’ criteria for density and...
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And after: The consequences of World War 1Wednesday, February 28, 2018 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaHeritage Ottawa 2018 Phillips Memorial LectureAND AFTER: The Consequences of World War 1
In commemoration of the centenary of the First World War, joint Canada-France symposiums were held...
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Cultivating Canadian Modernism: The Architectural Research Group of Ottawa and MontrealWednesday, January 17, 2018 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaThis talk will explore how a group of young, politically savvy architects promoted modern architecture across Canada and in the Ottawa region during the 1940s through articles, radio addresses,...
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From Walk-Up to High-Rise: Ottawa’s Historic Apartment BuildingsWednesday, December 13, 2017 - 19:00 to 21:00Dominion-Chalmers United Church355 Cooper Street ( use entrance on Lisgar Street )Ottawa, ON K2P 0G8CanadaUpdate: The book is available for purchase here on our website for $20 including shipping within Canada.
A HERITAGE OTTAWA BOOK LAUNCHJoin Heritage Ottawa as we launch...
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Ottawa Architects 150: A Genealogy of Architectural Practices in OttawaThursday, November 16, 2017 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaOttawa Architects 150 documents the history of the practice of architecture in Ottawa from 1867 to 2017, marking Canada’s Sesquicentennial and recognizing the contribution of local architects to...
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Emerging Scholars: Three Talks And a Pub NightTuesday, October 17, 2017 - 19:00 to 21:00Brigid's WellSt. Brigid's Centre for the Arts310 St. Patrick Street at CumberlandOttawa, ON K1N 5K5CanadaJoin us at 7pm for three informative talks by recent graduates. Each talk will be 15 to 20 minutes in duration and the audience will have an opportunity to pose questions to the speakers.
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Celebrating Village Heritage: The Sixth Annual Heritage Ottawa ForumSaturday, September 30, 2017 - 09:30 to 16:00CanadaCelebrating Village Heritage The Sixth Annual Heritage Ottawa ForumVillage of Kars | Saturday, September 30, 2017
9:30 am to 4:00 pm | Doors open at 9:00 am
Heritage Ottawa...
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A Legacy to Build On: Renewing the NCC’s Conservation Role in the CapitalThursday, September 21, 2017 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaIn the context of the 150th anniversary of Confederation and the recent launch of the Plan for Canada’s Capital 2017-2067, Heather Thomson will discuss what has been and is being conserved as...
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What's in a Name?Wednesday, June 21, 2017 - 19:00 to 21:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaThis lecture will present the early histories of Bytown, Rochesterville and Nepean with an exposé woven from the Rochester, Cole, Baillie and McDougall families whose collective...
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Prime Ministers' Row ProjectWednesday, April 19, 2017 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaThe extraordinary built heritage of Ottawa’s Laurier Avenue East, historically home to seven Fathers of Confederation and eight Prime Ministers, will be transformed into Canada’s first...
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Vimy One-Hundred Years Later: A New Education CentreWednesday, March 15, 2017 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaThe Canadian National Vimy Memorial, centred on the evocative design of Walter Allward's beautiful monument and the surrounding landscape, evokes tremendous emotion and provides...
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A Landmark Transformed: The New Global Centre for PluralismWednesday, February 15, 2017 - 19:00 to 20:30The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat199 Sussex Drive ( use Boteler Street entrance )Ottawa, ON K1N 1K6Canada
HERITAGE OTTAWA 2017 PHILLIPS MEMORIAL LECTUREUPDATE: This lecture is available on YouTube courtesy of our partners at the Global Centre for Pluralism.
Order...
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Heritage Ottawa at FiftyWednesday, January 18, 2017 - 19:00 to 21:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaJoin us for a lively review of the past and future of local heritage as we gear up to celebrate a milestone anniversary year!
Councillor and Chair of the Built...
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THE GRÉBER PLAN: 65 YEARS LATERTuesday, December 13, 2016 - 19:00 to 20:00Dominion-Chalmers United Church355 Cooper Street ( use entrance on Lisgar Street )Ottawa, ON K2P 0G8CanadaThis talk presents the fascinating story of Jacques Gréber’s vision and plan for Canada’s capital, with a look at what worked and what we might do differently today.
From his 1950's lens,...
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THE DIEFENBUNKER: COLD WAR FORTRESSWednesday, November 16, 2016 - 19:00 to 20:00Auditorium, Ottawa Public Library120 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K1P 5M2CanadaA marvel of Canadian engineering built under duress during the unknown threats of the Cold War era, the massive structure now known as "The Diefenbunker" demanded the development of a number of...