It’s Heritage Week in Ontario and Collingwood’s heritage committee is inviting residents to learn more about the town’s historic buildings and the people who lived in them, built them, and worked in them.
Collingwood was the first municipality in Canada to have a Heritage Conservation District included on Canada’s Historic Places list.
The heritage district includes Hurontario Street from about sixth street all the way to the harbour and down Heritage Drive to the terminals building. It also covers a few blocks to the east and west of Hurontario Street as well. For a map of the district, click here.
During Heritage Week, which runs from Feb. 17 to 21, the town is encouraging residents to learn about local walking tours and the buildings in Collingwood’s Heritage District.
You can find information on the buildings and a map for walking tours on the town’s heritage district website here. The Heritage District walking tour is a self-guided walk that takes about 60 minutes to complete without stops. The walk begins at Collingwood Town Hall. You’ll find all the information for the walk on the heritage district website, and there are printed pamphlets available at town buildings such as town hall, the library, or at Collingwood Museum.
“Heritage Week provides a wonderful opportunity for individuals and communities to reflect on their contributions to Ontario, how heritage is conserved, promoted, and commemorated, and how they might shape the future,” states a notice on the town’s website.
The town’s heritage committee is also looking for new members. The application deadline is March 9, and you can find information on applying here.
In the spring, the heritage committee is organizing a special presentation on the history of Collingwood, the creation of the heritage district, the benefits of designating your property, and restoring wood windows. The presentation will be at the Collingwood Public Library in the third-floor community rooms on May 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
