A knowledge-based, technologically enhanced research firm which provides professional consulting services in the areas of:
- Aboriginal Land Claims and Litigation
- Class Action Litigation
- Institutional Abuse Litigation
- Health Product Liability Litigation
- Trade Litigation
- General Litigation
- Social Policy
- Other Specialized Areas
Overview
Established in 1995, Public History began as a five-person Ottawa research firm. Public History maintains it reputation for excellence in providing knowledge-based, technologically enhanced professional research. Our specialized services are used in: Aboriginal land claims and litigation; class actions and other types of civil litigation; social policy research; environmental assessment and other professional areas.
Our staff have conducted research at over 75 libraries and archival institutions in Canada and the United States. Our corporate experience working with Library and Archives Canada is extensive as we continue building our comprehensive knowledge of historical and contemporary record-keeping systems.
Public History is not an advocacy firm. We are a proven leader in our field, committed to providing objective, high-quality research. We have successfully completed over 700 policy, writing, research, and analysis projects covering a wide range of issues, including: treaty history; legislative history; policy history; and the historical context of specific events.
Some of our current and past clients include:
- Correctional Service Canada
- Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
- Department of Justice Canada
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans
- Law Reform Commission of Canada
- Waswanipi First Nation
- Long Plain First Nation
- Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
- Ontario Power Generation
- Gowling WLG
- Ogilvy Renault
- TransCanada Pipeline
SERVICES
Research Services
- Document-based research and analysis
- Research co-ordination and planning
- Research project management
- Report writing
Research Resources
- Archives
- Libraries
- Corporate records
- Government records
- Worldwide web
Products
- Reports
- Chronologies
- Document collections
- Document databases
- Document transcripts
Additional Services
- Document preparation and organization
- Specialized document coding
- Document transcription
- Document cataloguing
- Document scanning
- Data management
Specialties
- Aboriginal history and issues
- Government policy and practice
- Legislative history
- Access to Information requests
- Freedom of Information requests
- Site histories
Mercury Court
From 2007 to early 2016, Public History's office was located in the historic Mercury Court building on Dalhousie Street in downtown Ottawa. Originally built as the RCMP Headquarters, it was later converted to house the Laroque Department Store. As Ottawa’s only francophone department store, it was an important part of the City’s bilingual culture. It closed in the early 1970’s. In 1990, the building underwent a classic transformation combining all the elements of a modern office/retail building while maintaining the architectural integrity of this 95-year-old landmark
Mercury Court features one of Ottawa’s historic architectural features. The Statue of Mercury, which is a functioning weather vane, was originally placed on the long since demolished Sun Life Building in 1898. The statue has been lovingly preserved and provided by the National Capital Commission for public display at Mercury Court. Located in the heart of Ottawa, amidst the heritage of the Byward Market and contemporary styling of the Rideau Centre, Mercury Court’s distinctive architecture and a strategic location merge to create a dignified and distinguished business address.
In April 2016, Public History relocated its office operations to 270 Albert St. in Ottawa.
cp locomotive
Locomotive #5068 was built in September 1913 by the Locomotive and Machine Company of Montreal. The locomotive continuously served with the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1913 until it was decommissioned and disassembled in December 1960. This historical photograph of locomotive #5068 was taken in 1913, in Leanchoil B.C., near the Kicking Horse pass.
History in Signatures
Each year, Public History researchers see thousands of pages of historical documents bearing signatures of people whose names are more recognizable than their signatures. Visit us periodically for additions to this feature.
Prime Ministers of Canada
In the media
- Winner's Circle (VIDEO) (2006)
- Gumshoes of History (2006)
- Company uses history as a Path to Success (2005)
- Public History Inc. Donates $20,000 to Library and Archives Canada (2005)
- Ottawa's Public History Makes History - A Great Career! (2004)
- The rememberers: As companies begin to realize the value of the past, is history becoming a growth market? (2004)
- CJOH Tech Now (VIDEO - 14.3MB) (2004)
- Success Stories: Public History, Inc. - Supporting the Future with History (2001)
- Today's History Lesson: Look to the Past for a Job With a Future (2001)
- Making history a business (2001)
- Dave had a passion for Canadiana (2001)
- Historical Research Firm Specializes in Land Claims (2000)
- Local company cashes in on historical successes (1999)
- Putting History to work (1998)
Careers
Due to the high volume of applications we receive each year, only candidates selected for an interview will be notified.
Public History welcomes job applicants from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds. We offer a broad compensation package which includes a group RRSP plan; sick leave and family leave allowances; an employee health plan; and alternative and flexible work schedules. Our employees enjoy interesting and challenging work and staff events which involve both learning and recreation.
All our staff are given training, mentoring and on-going career development opportunities. We foster a collaborative, team-based work environment, providing our employees with opportunities to refine their skills. In training and developing our staff, we rely on an extensive body of corporate knowledge developed during our more than ten years of project work.
To apply for a job at Public History, please complete an application for employment and send it by e-mail at jobs@publichistory.ca, with a résumé and a non-confidential writing sample of prose. Application materials can also be sent by fax or mail to our office.
Important note: To submit a completed job application by e-mail requires the full version of Adobe Acrobat.
contact
Owners & Executive Management
Katherine O'Connor, M.A.
Co-President, Research Operations
k.oconnor@publichistory.ca
Pia Newell Santiago, Hon. B. Sc.
Co-President, Business Operations
p.newellsantiago@publichistory.ca
Aileen Baird, M.A.
Principal
a.baird@publichistory.ca
Betsey Baldwin, Ph.D.
Principal
b.baldwin@publichistory.ca
Gerard Hartley, M.A.
Principal
g.hartley@publichistory.ca
Stuart Manson, Hon. B.A.
Principal
s.manson@publichistory.ca
Tammy Robinson, Hon. B.A.
Principal
t.robinson@publichistory.ca
GENERAL INQUIRIES
gen.inquiry@publichistory.ca
Copyright and Credits
Concept and content of this website by Public History™
Design and production by
Public History™ is a trademark of Public History Inc.
© 2007-2023 Public History Inc. All rights reserved.
Awards
The Regional Design Awards is produced
by Design Edge Canada magazine.
Public History was awarded with the
Best Interactive design of the Region.
TRANSCRIPT
Transcripts are typed copies of documents, which are prepared when the original documents are difficult to read, whether from the document having been damaged or the complexity of the handwriting. Transcribing historical documents is precise work which demands careful attention to detail and benefits from appreciating their historical contexts.
Sample Transcripts