Conservation at Parks Canada

Parks Canada employs renowned and respected experts in the field of conservation in Canada. Whether these specialists work internally to conserve national historic sites that are under the agency’s responsibility or externally with partners, they bring expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm to their day-to-day work. Their actions ensure that this nation's defining moments and places are safeguarded and presented to this and the generations that will follow.

Over the years, our specialists have developed accessible guidelines and tools such as the Canadian Register of Historic Places and the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada that are widely used and recognized within the field of heritage conservation. These tools ensure that we respect the commemorative integrity of very important resources to our country’s history is respected.

Here are some examples of the great work our specialists do: 

• In the field of archaeology, Parks Canada continues to work with or without partners in some fascinating projects that allow Canadians to better understand their own past. Find out more here about archaeology or participate yourself in our Public Archaeology Program! 
  
  
• Let us take you on a short trip to Wellington National Historic Site and have a look at what is sometime necessary to be able to showcase our history! 
  
  
• Replacing the east palisade at Fort Langley NHS
  © Parks Canada
  Fort Langley tells the story of the fur trade on the Pacific Coast during the 1800s. Its palisade stood up proudly from 1827 to 1864, but when Parks Canada acquired the fort in 1955 to make it a national historic site, the great enclosure had to be rebuilt. Over the years, this happened several times, the wood giving up to weather and rot. Last winter again, Parks Canada took on this task, striving to conserve the original size of the fort. Thanks to the expertise of archaeologists and historians, and to prevent any new disturbance of the ground, the new palisade follows the footprint of the former wall built between 1956 and 1991. Discover the fascinating history of Fort Langley National Historic Site! 
  
  
• Visitors are transported back to the klondike era through a Parks Canada interpreter's recitations of Robert Service's works
  © Parks Canada
  From 1909-1912, famous poet Robert Service lived in a rustic cabin now recognized as a rare example of a typical Klondike miner's cabin. After decades, the Yukon’s extreme climate had taken its toll of the heritage structure, and in 2010, Klondike NHSs staff undertook the rehabilitation of this important asset. The team researched the site's evolution to ensure features associated with the Robert Service era would be maintained. To preserve the cabin, drainage and ventilation were improved, rotten foundation logs and floors were replaced, and the inaccurate sod roof was replaced with tin. In the interior, assets staff applied reproduced period wallpaper and stretched canvas taut over the interior log walls. Additional work will improve visitors’ comfort and will enhance their experience. See the Klondike National Historic Sites and discover other great stories! 
  
  
• York Factory and Prince of Wales national historic sites bring the history of the Hudson Bay and fur trade to life. But the natural conditions in Northern Manitoba threaten their integrity. Find out what Parks Canada is doing to perpetuate the stories of these magnificent places.