The College of Bytown was founded in 1848 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate as a bilingual Catholic college; from its very beginnings, students studied in both English and French.

In 1866, the recently renamed College of Ottawa was elevated to university status by royal charter, and in 1889, it secured a pontifical charter. In 1965, the Oblates relinquished administration of the University and it became a provincially funded secular institution.

Read more about the people, places and events that shaped uOttawa's history

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Keys to Original College Building

ART-38-15: Keys to the door of the courtyard of the 1st College of Ottawa on the Bishop's grounds.- 1848.
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Tabaret Hall Construction

PHO-NB-38A-2-350: Photograph taken during the installation of the columns for the central portico of the University of Ottawa's Central Building (Tabaret Hall). Workers can be seen working with pulley systems to lift the columns. - 1904
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Students sitting at Montpetit

NEG-NB-6-1122-5: students lounging on the steps of Montpetit Hall - Spring, 1979.

Contact us

Contact Us

For more on Information Management at uOttawa, including tools and training, visit VirtuO.

Information and Archives Management
100, Marie-Curie Private, Room 012
Ottawa ON K1N 6N5

613-562-5750

[email protected]

Hours of operation

September 1 to May 31
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday-Friday:
8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

June 1 to August 31
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday-Friday:
8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Reading Room hours

By Appointment Only

Indigenous Affirmation

We pay respect to the Algonquin people, who are the traditional guardians of this land. We acknowledge their longstanding relationship with this territory, which remains unceded. 

We pay respect to all Indigenous people in this region, from all nations across Canada, who call Ottawa home. 

We acknowledge the traditional knowledge keepers, both young and old. And we honour their courageous leaders: past, present, and future. 

Learn more about the Indigenous Affirmation.