Federal Commemorations: National Historic Sites, Persons and Events

What is a National Historic Site?

Most Canadians associate a National Historic Site or any heritage site with a museum or historic house.

National Historic Sites, however, are much more!

Across Toronto and Canada, National Historic Sites include current and former homes, stores, post offices, restaurants, taverns, court houses, forts, archaeological sites, theatres, cinemas, warehouses… and the list goes on!

What makes a “site” one of national importance, is the impact that the site has had on Canadian history or how the site illustrates an important aspect of Canadian human history. They are places that tell part of the national narrative that makes Canada what it is today.

For example a National Historic Site may:

• Be a finest example of a particular architectural style or technological design that was representative of a time in our history (ie. The Edwardian architecture of The Grange National Historic Site)
• Tell us about a cultural tradition, way of life or idea that was key to the development of Canada (i.e the role of The Studio Building National Historic Site for members of the Group of Seven)
• Be related or associated to a person that was of national importance in Canada’s past (i.e. Montgomery Tavern National Historic Site on Yonge Street, where William Lyon Mackenzie rallied his forces for the Rebellion of 1837)
• Be related or associated with events that were key in the development of the country (i.e. Fort York National Historic Site which was the scene of the Battle of York during which the Americans burned down the Upper Canada Legislature, in 1813)

How many are there?
As of January 2009 there are:
944 National Historic Sites
632 National Historic Persons
409 National Historic Events

To learn more about the network of national designations, visit:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/docs/r/system-reseau/sites-lieux1_e.asp
http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/lhn-nhs/index_e.asp

Who is responsible for the commemoration of National Historic Sites, People and Events?
Parks Canada is responsible for the management and operations of 159 of Canada’s National Historic Sites. The other 800+ sites are managed by a variety of Canadians, organizations and levels of government. Parks Canada is also responsible for the commemoration and communication of all National Historic Sites, Persons and Events.

To learn more about the criteria used to determine how National Historic Sites, Persons and Events are designated, visit:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/clmhc-hsmbc/crit/crit1_E.asp
http://www.pc.gc.ca/clmhc-hsmbc/crit/crit2_E.asp

To learn more about who decides what becomes a National Historic Site, visit:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/clmhc-hsmbc/designation/designation1_E.asp

To learn about what kind of legal protection is given to a National Historic Site, visit:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/clmhc-hsmbc/designation/designation4_E.asp

Plaques for National Historic Sites, Persons and Events

The most common form of commemoration is the installation of a bilingual bronze plaque at a location that is closely associated with the National Historic Site, Person or Event. Parks Canada works with the community to identify a location, write the plaque text and to have an event marking the unveiling of the commemoration. More examples of the plaques can be found at:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/clmhc-hsmbc/plaques/plaques1_e.asp

Get Involved!

Submit a nomination
Is there a site, a person or an event connected to your Canadian experience – a piece of the Canadian mosaic – that relates to the underrepresented areas of our history?

Is the subject an important part of our Canadian experience and does it speak to all Canadians?

Does it contribute to our knowledge of our history and our understanding of the country?
Help us tell the whole Canadian story!

If you have an idea or would like more information on the system of National Historic Sites of Canada, visit:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/clmhc-hsmbc/designation/designation2_E.asp

Learn about Canada’s National Historic Sites, Persons and Events
Explore the directory of national designations on the Parks Canada website at:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/lhn-nhs/index_e.asp

Visit a Parks Canada-managed National Historic Site
To prepare for your visit to one of Parks Canada’s 159 National Historic Site, visit the National Historic Sites page of the Parks Canada website at:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/lhn-nhs/index_E.asp
http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/lhn-nhs/recherche-search_e.asp?s=1

Provincial Level Designations, Easements, Plaques and Markers

Ontario Heritage Plaques and Markers

The Provincial Plaque Program is managed by the Ontario Heritage Trust. The plaques make Ontario's history come alive by telling stories of the people, places and events that helped shape our province.

How many are there?
Over 1,200 provincial plaques have been unveiled – including 22 international plaques.
The Trust has also assisted communities to erect over 600 local markers across Ontario.

To learn more about the Ontario Heritage Trust plaques and markers program, visit:
http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_2638_1.html

Ontario Heritage Conservation Easements

The Ontario Heritage Trust website states that an easement:

• Is a voluntary legal agreement between the heritage property owner and the Trust;
• establishes mutually accepted conditions that will ensure the preservation of the heritage property in perpetuity;
• May allow for income tax relief with the donation of a natural heritage conservation easement agreement.

To learn more about the Ontario Heritage Conservation Easements, visit:
http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_2892_1.html

Get Involved!

Learn how to apply for a provincial plaque:
http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_2674_1.html

Learn how to apply for a provincial heritage marker:
http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_2656_1.html

Learn how to support the provincial plaque program:
http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_2654_1.html

Toronto’s Heritage Listings, Designations, Easements and Heritage Plaques

Toronto ’s Inventory of Heritage Properties

How many properties are listed or designated as of heritage importance in the City of Toronto?
Toronto’s Inventory of Heritage Properties lists some 8,000 properties in the City of Toronto, approximately 4,500 of which are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Buildings in the Inventory range from cottages and homes to industrial buildings to true symbols of Toronto such as the CN Tower and Roy Thompson Hall!

Learn more about who decides what becomes a National Historic Site at:
http://www.toronto.ca/heritage-preservation/heritage_questions.htm

In Toronto, what are the differences between a listing, a designation and an easement?

"Listing" a property on the Inventory of Heritage Properties allows Heritage Preservation Services to review development and building applications affecting those properties. It also requires the owner to give the City 60 days notice of his or her intention to demolish the property.

"Designation" confers a legal status on a property by a specific city by-law under the Ontario Heritage Act and gives City Council the legal authority to refuse an application that will adversely affect the property's heritage attributes. Designation may fall under one of two categories under the Ontario Heritage Act: Part IV (individual property designation) or Part V (Heritage Conservation District designation).

A “Heritage Easement Agreement” is another tool used to ensure a building's preservation. It is an agreement that is entered into between the property owner and the City and registered on title. A Heritage Easement Agreement identifies elements of a building which are to be retained in perpetuity and may also set out permitted alterations and development.

http://www.toronto.ca/heritage-preservation/heritage_questions.htm

Heritage Toronto’s Heritage Plaque and Marker Program

For over a century, key people, places and events of Toronto’s past have been officially remembered through heritage plaques and markers placed on buildings and in public spaces. Today, the Heritage Toronto Plaques and Markers Program celebrates the history of the city, its people and cultures.

Get Involved!

Where would you like to see a municipal heritage plaque or marker?
The Plaques and Markers Program is application-based and relies on applicants or other sponsors to pay the full cost of the proposed plaque project. To find out how you can work with Heritage Toronto in erecting a municipal heritage plaque, visit:
http://www.heritagetoronto.org/programs/programs2.show?eventId=355

Find Toronto’s buildings of heritage importance
Toronto’s Heritage Properties can be found in the Inventory of Heritage Properties at
http://app.toronto.ca/heritage/main.do

Learn more about Toronto’s heritage designations, listings and easements
To find out more about the process for heritage listings and designations, what restrictions this may entail on a property and about assistance in saving, restoring and updating heritage buildings in Toronto, visit the City of Toronto’s Heritage Preservation Services website at:
http://www.toronto.ca/heritage-preservation/index.htm