HERITAGE OTTAWA

Heritage Ottawa was honoured today to receive the 2023 Heritage Day Proclamation from Mayor Sutcliffe, in recognition of the importance of this year's theme Recovering and Connecting Ottawa’s Heritage – Stronger Together. Heritage Ottawa was offered to Proclamation for its committment to advocating for the preservation of Ottawa’s unique built heritage and cultural landscapes, while also connecting the public with in-person and virtual lecture series’ and promoting Ottawa’s rich and diverse heritage in their walking tours.

The proclamation went on to state:

Recognized as Ottawa’s largest organization dedicated to the protection and stewardship of Ottawa’s built heritage and cultural places, Heritage Ottawa encourages engagement and investment in the protection and enhancement of our city’s heritage for the benefit of today’s generations and of tomorrow. Throughout the pandemic, Heritage Ottawa remained steadfast in its advocacy efforts, keeping the heritage community connected and informed to better protect Ottawa’s heritage. As our city began to transition back to in-person programming, Heritage Ottawa continued to present virtual lectures and events, while also inviting the public back to their in-person neighbourhood walking tours. Their tours and lectures span Ottawa’s diverse communities and include French language programming for Ottawa’s francophone population. You need only explore their ‘50 Years | 50 Stories’ online series to see how Heritage Ottawa has been integral in keeping Ottawa’s heritage community connected for over 50 years.

Heritage Ottawa is an award-winning organization that champions the preservation of our city’s wonderful heritage buildings, historic neighbourhoods, and distinctive cultural places through advocacy and awareness-raising programs. Despite COVID-related challenges, Heritage Ottawa kept its activities and programs alive, pivoting to online delivery models and finding ways to support in-person activities safely. Over the past 55 years, Heritage Ottawa has intervened on behalf of hundreds of heritage properties — at both the municipal and federal levels — to defend worthy places at risk of demolition or inappropriate intervention. Places like the Aberdeen Pavilion, Old Registry Office, Château Laurier Hotel, Central Experimental Farm, Alexandra Bridge, former St. Brigid’s Church, and various properties in the city’s 21 Heritage Conservation Districts.

This commitment to saving places that matter is evidence of the organization’s dedication to the protection and stewardship of Ottawa’s built heritage and history. Heritage Ottawa also has a solid track record of delivering programs that promote awareness, understanding and appreciation of our heritage, such as conducting walking tours and lectures, and organizing forums. A regular quarterly Newsletter, bilingual website and monthly E-Bulletins raise awareness about heritage issues in the city. Remarkably, this is all achieved by a formidable, volunteer-driven team.

To learn more about Heritage Ottawa and sign-up to receive heritage updates, visit: www.heritageottawa.org

Heritage Ottawa was honoured to accept the Proclamation at a special Heritage Day event held at City Hall on February 21, 2023.