Stories Worth Preserving

As students in Carleton University’s History department, in the Fall of 2023, we were invited to collaborate on historical projects around Ottawa. Our group was tasked to create a report for the Centretown Community Association as part of the process to petition the City of Ottawa for a Heritage Conservation District in West Centretown. In this report, we detail three stories within the proposed district boundaries which argue for the protection of historical locations. This article aims to condense this research to share West Centretown's history with a broader audience. These three stories include the beginnings of the area, beloved community locations, and character profiles of West Centretown residents. Our research includes an oral interview, use of newspaper archives, and existing local knowledge to demonstrate the significance of preserving vibrant communities within the broader Ottawa context. Our findings were that a Heritage Conservation District would be entirely beneficial for preserving the buildings responsible for the rich culture and history of West Centretown.