As the province’s lead heritage agency, the Ontario Heritage Trust is entrusted with keeping Ontario’s heritage alive and meaningful. The Trust gives Ontario’s heritage relevance. The Trust:
promotes the importance of heritage conservation
preserves and protects provincially significant built, cultural and natural heritage sites
upholds and advocates the highest standards of conservation
demonstrates the adaptive reuse of heritage properties and promotes sustainable approaches to conservation
advises the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism on the provincial significance and conservation of properties throughout Ontario
commemorates important heritage sites, events and people with plaques throughout the province
celebrates community heritage
maintains a provincial register of all properties and heritage conservation districts designated under the Ontario Heritage Act
operates several museums that showcase Trust-owned properties and unique collections
encourages young people to get involved in heritage activities
raises revenue to support heritage activities
Credit: Mark Wolfson Ontario Heritage Centre, interior
Together with our many dedicated partners across the province, we celebrate and protect Ontario’s heritage. The Trust demonstrates its commitment to engage all Ontarians in the work and promotion of heritage conservation in a number of ways. We do this by:
providing public access to many of our properties
recognizing individuals, youth and communities through our annual recognition programs
featuring our programs and activities through our e-magazine Heritage Matters
hosting special events like plaque unveilings and open houses
sharing our expertise through workshops, seminars, conferences and special publications
providing technical advice and assistance
conducting and documenting significant archaeological work
celebrating Ontario’s Heritage Week the third week of February each year
discovering Ontario’s heritage treasures and natural beauty through the popular provincewide Doors Open Ontario program
The Trust’s important work is supported by:
gifts and bequests of money, property and cultural artifacts from individuals
sponsorships and donations from corporations and community partners
income from properties we own – including the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres — as well as the rental of heritage venues for corporate events, weddings and special events, office space and film locations
