Picton Town Hall (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)
The 2025 Ontario Heritage Conference is coming to the County in June, when over 200 heritage conservation professionals from across the province descend for three days.
A collaboration between Community Heritage Ontario, Architectural Conservancy Ontario, and the Ontario Association of Heritage Professionals, the OHC hosts its annual gathering in venues of major historical interest.
“They tend to focus on both wonderful local examples of heritage and where challenges may occur, as well as Provincial-level conversations,” said Chris Palmer, Supervisor of Museums and Cultural Services for Prince Edward County.
Local heritage sites serve not only for panel discussions, but as a focus of conversation in themselves.
After last year’s conference in Gravenhurst, the organizers turned their sights on the County.
“We see it as an excellent opportunity to showcase our local heritage and to work with the local community groups and individuals who celebrate that.”
A collaboration between Community Heritage Ontario, Architectural Conservancy Ontario, and the Ontario Association of Heritage Professionals, the OHC hosts its annual gathering in venues of major historical interest.
The three-day conference will explore some of the County’s unique historic sites — including the Crystal Palace, Base31, and the Macaulay Heritage museum.
How built heritage interacts with the natural landscape is a focal point. A bus tour to the South Shore will stop at the South Shore Cemetery and Hudgin Log house before touching down on the Lake Ontario beach.
Another focus is the revitalization of the East Lake Farm, which features historic infrastructure, stone walls, and a biodiverse landscape.
“Although of course we’re showcasing Prince Edward County, and I know we’ll be a very attractive destination, there will be people speaking about things that go beyond the County,” said Liz Driver, President of the Architectural Conservancy Ontario Picton Branch.
The program also expands on the understanding of heritage conservation to include affordable housing and climate action. A major theme of discussion is the “adaptive reuse” of older buildings to serve new functions.
“We have so many heritage buildings in the County. We should really turn our thoughts to how those buildings could be used for social housing or affordable housing,” said Ms. Driver.
“It’s not what you normally think of as heritage but it’s an important part. Personally, I love living in old buildings so I think it’s actually a great thing.”
Nancy Matthews, Vice President of Community Heritage Ontario, notes that the repurposing of old buildings creates affordable housing at a fraction of the cost of newer builds and saves materials from going into landfills.
The Ontario Heritage Act, a major milestone in efforts to protect Ontario’s built heritage, turns 50 this year. One of the panels will hone in on the gains — and setbacks — of the past five decades.
“Well into the 21st century, every effort was made to improve it and to strengthen protection,” said Ms. Driver.
But Doug Ford’s government has watered down the act under the guise of “cutting red tape.”
“The government thinks that by weakening the Ontario Heritage Act,
Liz Driver, President,
they make it easier to build houses faster, which is really wrong-headed because you should be able to do both those things at the same time.”
Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Picton Branch
“The government thinks that by weakening the Act they’ll make it easier to build houses faster, which is really wrong-headed because you should be able to do both those things at the same time.”
The conference ends on National Indigenous People’s Day, celebrated with a performance by Tom Wilson’s Mohawk Symphony at The Regent Theatre.
While a conference this size rarely comes to Prince Edward County, the organizational feat and economic boon may pave the way for more.
“Everybody is interested in forwarding this,” said Mr. Palmer, who expects the conference to bring real economic benefits. “There are some challenges. We don’t have giant hotels, but we have a lot of really great accommodators.”
The conference runs from June 19-21. Program and registration information can be found on the Visit the County website. All are welcome.
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