Running out of landfill space? Why not dump it in the river! The 1950s and 1960s was an era of all-important progress and little concern for "environmental assessments". Learn about the decision-making process that led to much of the Ottawa River shoreline from Mechanicsville through LeBreton Flats being built from our garbage. Learn about this...

Guest speaker: Mark Aubin, Author, 'Blight' The 1960s were a time when civic leaders were anxious to bulldoze the past to make way for the modern thruways and dazzling glass towers of the future. What chance did the families and businesses of a working class neighbourhood like Lowertown East have of standing in the way...

Guest speaker: Randy Boswell, Journalist & Carleton University Professor Beginning with the ancient Indigenous inhabitants of the Ottawa Valley and Bytown's earliest natural history societies, Randy Boswell explores our evolving relationship with the wildlife with which we share this planet. All are welcome to attend without charge. Location: Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch, auditorium

Guest speaker: Peter Atkinson, Author, Gord Atkinson: "Ottawa's Oldest Teenager" A generation of teens anxiously tuned into CFRA every week to hear Peter's father spin the latest hits and introduce the young rock and roll fans to the hottest new musicians. Gord Atkinson helped launch the careers of performers like Rich Little, Paul Anka, and...

Guest speaker: Nancy Pyper, Past President, May Court Club of Ottawa On the eve of May Day 1898, Lady Aberdeen summoned together the daughters of Ottawa’s “finest families” and challenged these young women to make it their mission to help others – to carry their talents and concern forth into the world under the banner...