HERITAGE OTTAWA

Heritage Ottawa was pleased to participate once again in the Ottawa Regional Heritage Fair held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at the Canadian War Museum. This was the first time since 2019 that the Fair was held in person. 

The Fair is an annual event at which students present their history and heritage-related projects and compete for prizes. Despite COVID-related challenges, there were 35 participating exhibits with projects ranging from historical events to persons and places, many of which continue to have impact today.

Heritage Ottawa director and former president Richard Belliveau joined other volunteer judges who enjoyed the opportunity of engaging with the enthusiastic students. The judges also had the difficult task of selecting prize winners, which included a cash prize sponsored by Heritage Ottawa for a research project about a recognized historic place in Ottawa of local, provincial or national significance. 

The Heritage Ottawa Prize was given to Alistair Sy of Académie Westboro Academy for his project entitled “Voix de la nation. Quelle est l'historique du Carillon de la tour de paix du Parlement canadien?” (The Voice of the Nation. The history of the Carillon in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill).

Other award recipients included Henrik Froeschi, also of Académie Westboro Academy, who received the City of Ottawa Local History award presented by Mayor Jim Watson for his project “Quelle est l'histoire de l'édifice du Sénat du Canada?”  (The story of the Senate of Canada building). 

The Museum of History Award for the highest mark overall in the judging was presented to Ava Sulpher of Immaculata High School for her project “Racisme sur les rails”.

The Regional Heritage Fair, part of a province-wide initiative, is aimed at students in grades four to ten, and is designed to encourage students to explore Canadian heritage stories through research on persons, places and events in Canadian history. Their findings are presented at public exhibitions in their own schools, from which are selected exhibits for the regional fair.

Heritage Ottawa congratulates all of this year’s winners and participants for their excellent presentations. Bravo!