Centretown Community Association

07/26/2026

07/22/2026

Ottawa turns 200 this year.

Hear colourful tales of the birth of Bytown (as Ottawa first was known). Learn of the Algonquins who lived here around 1826, and the fate of the great chief Constant Pinesi and his people. The creation of Bytown was dramatic; it was an instant boomtown. Of course there were heroes and rogues, scandal and daring, fools and fortunes. Hear how Col. John By’sdesign of Bytown has fundamentally shaped Ottawa, right up to today.

The tour, about 1.5 kms and 90 minutes, is this Saturday, July 25, at 10:30 a.m. Meet at the Colonel By statue in Major’s Hill Park. There is no fee but donations to the Centretown Community Association are appreciated.

This historial walking tour was a Jane's walk earlier this year and catch it before it is gone.

07/22/2026

On the Blunders and Beauties history walking tour, hear of big mistakes made by planners and architects, and discover the architectural gems of Centretown, including the ‘Grand Dames,’ Ottawa's early apartment buildings. Learn of the lethal Stony Monday Riot, and of the stories behind place names, such as Elgin and St. Luke's.

The tour, about one kilometre and one hour, departs from the Elgin Street Market, at Elgin and Waverley, at 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 26th. There is no fee but donations to the Centretown Community Association are appreciated.

07/18/2026

Kick off your Sunday with a visit to the Elgin Street Market, tomorrow in Boushey Square from 9am to 1pm!

07/13/2026

07/11/2026

See you tomorrow for free yoga!

07/10/2026

Don't miss the Elgin Street Market, this Sunday from 9am to 1pm in Boushey Square!

07/09/2026

Ottawa turns 200 this year. Hear colourful tales of the birth of Bytown (as Ottawa first was known). Learn of the Algonquins who lived here around 1826, and the fate of the great chief Constant Pinesi and his people. The creation of Bytown was dramatic; it was an instant boomtown. Of course there were heroes and rogues, scandal and daring, fools and fortunes. Hear how Col. John By’sdesign of Bytown has fundamentally shaped Ottawa, right up to today.

The tour, about 1.5 kms, is this Saturday, July 11, at 10:30 a.m. Meet at theColonel By statue in Major’s Hill Park. There is no fee but donations to theCentretown Community Association are appreciated.

This historial walking tour was a Jane's walk earlier this year and it would be repeated July 25, 2026 at 10:30am out of Major's Hill Park

07/09/2026

The Canal and Communities history walking tour explores settlements that used to sit on the lands now known as Centretown. Hear of the building of the local portion of the Rideau Canal, including the lethally dangerous ‘Deep Cut, and of the men who toiled and died digging it. Learn of local Indigenous peoples.
Hear tales of Mother McGuinty’s shabeen and George-Étienne Cartier’s liberated mistress. Hear the stories behind street names. (A bunch were named for a widow’s kids, another for a best-selling Victorian novel.)

The tour, about one kilometre, is this Sunday, July 12. It departs from the Elgin Street Market, at Elgin and Waverley, at 11 a.m. There is no fee but donations to the Centretown Community Association are appreciated.