“The purpose of this article, then, is a call out to my community”

“Building Barrhaven” was born out of countless conversations I have had with neighbours and community leaders from across Barrhaven who have told me their stories about living and working in Barrhaven for decades.

I have heard stories about how they lived on one of only a few streets that existed when Barrhaven was created. My teachers at St. Joe’s spent years telling me about how there used to be cows across the street from the school. And of course, how many local organizations have I heard about that got their start by setting up a table at Ross’ Independent! Even the other day, I chatted with one of my neighbours who was walking by and she told me about how she has lived in Barrhaven for 57 years.

The reason I share this is because these stories are an integral part of this community, and this is what the history of this community is made of.

As I get ready to launch my podcast and start writing my book, I have spent many hours reading the (very limited) literature about the history of the City of Nepean, looking at maps, photographs, and the other primary and secondary sources that are an important part of historical research.

However, another important part of historical research is gathering an oral history and conducting interviews with those that have bore witness to the specific topic you are researching. Especially so when it comes to studying the history of a local community like Barrhaven.

As I get ready to start a podcast and dig deeper into the history of Barrhaven, my discussions with those that have lived and worked in Barrhaven, and seen this community grow are going to important. It is one of the things that I look forward to most about starting this project and going public with my research.

The purpose of this article, then, is a call out to my community. Whether you have lived in Barrhaven for a short time or a long time, I want to hear your stories about this community. What have you seen change in the time you have been here? What makes this community so special? What makes Barrhaven such a great place to call home?

As I have said in one of my previous articles, it is all of us who make up the history of Barrhaven, and it is a main goal of mine to reflect that in my work. So I want to hear from you. Whether you would like to share stories about days of Barrhaven past, or share photographs, maps, advertisements, old issues of community newspapers, or anything else, I want to speak to you and hear your story.

Over the next few months, I look forward to meeting with many of my neighbours, local business and community leaders, my old teachers, and those who may be reading this article as I start to compile the history of the place we proudly call home.

If you would like to get in contact with me, I would love to speak with you. There are two ways to get in contact. The first is by filling out the form in the “Contact” section of this website. The second is by emailing me at vincenzo@vincenzocalla.com.