The Friulian community of Ottawa-Hull began in early 1900 with the arrival of Piero della Zuana.
In 1901, Piero Della Zuana, a resourceful and enterprising carpenter, arrived in Quebec City in search of a better future for his family.  Having heard of the great Ottawa-Hull fire of 1900, he decided that carpenters would be in demand for the rebuilding of the two cities.  He found employment at the J.R.  Booth paper mill, which eventually became the E.B. Eddy Company. Two years later, his wife, Maria Riva, and his five children joined him. Note: His son, Amedee Zuana, who is now 106 years old, is at present a resident of Villa Marconi (2016).

While this was the first family to arrive in Ottawa, many Friulians followed in the 1930s and, especially, after WWII.  More arrivals also came from the rest of Canada, Sault Ste Marie, Montreal, Toronto, Windsor and other Canadian cities. Many were second generation Friulian-Canadians who were work-related transfers to Ottawa. 

As the number of Friulians grew, so did their need to congregate with each other. In the early years, it was mainly for social and economic reasons. Although there were many Italians in Ottawa, Friulians tended to socialize among themselves.  In many instances, Friulians worked together and had numerous business and commercial alliances.  Because of affinity and common roots Friulians also tended to hire each other.

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The Fogolâr Furlan of Ottawa was officially founded in March 1969 and registered as a not-for-profit organization under the presidency of Dino Venier.  The membership count then was 102 Friulians. Since Ottawa has always been a mecca for visitors, not only from Friuli, but also from across Canada, throughout the years the Fogolâr of Ottawa has hosted numerous groups that came to visit the Capital. 

The importance of the Fogolâr of Ottawa is confirmed by the fact that this Fogolâr was one of the founders of the Fogolârs Federation of Canada. Not only, was the Federation founded in Ottawa, but its first president, Nino Croato, was also the President of the Fogolâr of Ottawa.  The importance is further underlined by the fact that the first Congress of the Fogolârs Federation of Canada took place in Ottawa.

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Activities of the Fogolâr:
-    Carnevale
-    Fieste de Patrie dal Friul (The Fogolâr of Ottawa was one of the First Fogolârs around the world, together with the Fogolâr of Montreal, to organize la Fieste de Patrie dal Friul)
-    Castagnata 
-    Picnic
-    Pranzo Natalizio
Past activities:
-    In the past, the Fogolâr organized two Congresses of the Fogolârs Federation of Canada (in 1974 and 2006) and assisted Montreal in organizing the 1994 Fogolârs Federation Congress in Quebec City
-    Friulian summer camps and numerous exhibitions of a cultural and historical nature
-    The Fogolâr had a Theatre group, “Di ca e di la dal Aghe” 

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List of current Board of Directors:
President                        Ivano Cargnello

Vice President                Enrico Ferrarin

Secretary                        Bob Blasutti            
Treasurer                        Roger Serafini                     
Programs                        J. P. Spessot

Programs                        Nilde Morielaz

Programs                        Ivana Meneguzzo

Programs                        John Serafini

Programs                        Stefani Truant