Dave Allston

Dave Allston is the senior asset manager (heritage) at National Defence, where he has worked in various capacities, including almost six years managing small team performing data quality and analysis on the National Defence portfolio, and five years as acting chief, IE Business and Data Support. He is also the returning officer for Ottawa Centre with Elections Ontario. Dave has a strong interest in local history and, since 1998, has been operating Houstalgia Research Company, providing historical research and detailed reports on the history of heritage and non-recognized properties, houses and neighbourhoods, as well as social, legal and architectural studies of properties over a 200-year period. In 2015, he began writing for the Kitchissippi Times community newspaper, and launched his own history blog, the Kitchissippi Museum. Dave has been a guest speaker for many groups and organizations, and contributes regularly to many mainstream media groups (such as the CBC and Ottawa Citizen) when a Kitchissippi-area local history issue arises. He also volunteers at community events, promoting his collection of local historical photos, maps and artifacts, as well as at local seniors’ residences, as well as at local seniors’ residences, conducting genealogical research.

F.X. Sauvé: The Francophone Godfather of Kitchissippi

 Hintonburg and Mechanicsville have particularly deep francophone roots. While both neighbourhoods still feature a...

Early Days: When the circus came to Wellington West

Few forms of entertainment in the early 20th century were more popular than the...

The history of one of the busiest corners of Kitchissippi

Kitchissippi has its share of busy intersections, but few are as rich in history...

Early Days: The evolution of 1385 Wellington St. W.

When you look at the history of Wellington Street West and Richmond Road, you...

Step in our time machine, for a 1867 walking tour of Kitchissippi

Have you ever wondered what Kitchissippi would look like if we could go back...

Early Days: The building project that changed Kitchissippi forever

To many, the Sir John A. MacDonald Parkway along the Ottawa River is a...
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The unknown story of Westboro’s earliest retail presence

Kitchissippi comprises multiple neighbourhoods, each of which has its own story of early development....

Early Days: The golden age of Kitchissippi cinema

The commercial districts within Kitchissippi have a lot going for them. The Westboro and...

One of the most unique buildings in Kitchissippi is now one of the most neglected

On the road to Lemieux Island, just off the SJAM Parkway, lies the mysterious...

Early Days: Richmond Roads home with a forgotten name

The Canadian Bank Note Company on Richmond Road at Kirkwood is a familiar building...

Maison Jeanne D’Arc: The tenth anniversary of a potential teardown

It has now been nearly ten years since a group of concerned citizens and...

The tale of “Westboro Manor”

One of Westboro’s most impressive structures is located at 330 Churchill Avenue, just south...
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