Heritage and History

This page offers links to a variety of services and information related to heritage and history.

• Doors Open Ontario
  Doors Open Ontario continues to bring together communities across Ontario. Throughout the province, there is a growing pride in our heritage. Communities boast of their commercial buildings, courthouses, places of worship, gardens, natural heritage and other heritage sites.
• Ontario Heritage Week
  Each February, the Ontario Heritage Trust takes a lead in celebrating Heritage Week in Ontario. We invite community groups and youth throughout the province to participate in the celebration.
• Library and Archives Canada
  Library and Archives Canada collects and preserves Canada's documentary heritage, and makes it accessible to all Canadians. This is Canada's national collection of books, historical documents, government records, photos, films, maps, music...and more.
• Francophones in Ontario
  The French presence in Ontario dates back nearly 400 years. Today, Ontario's francophone community represents the largest francophone community in Canada outside of Quebec.
• Ontario Heritage Trust
  The Ontario Heritage Trust – the province's lead heritage agency – is dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's rich and varied heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.
• Cultural Attractions Fund
  The Ontario Cultural Attractions Fun helps cultural and heritage organizations increase and diversify their earned revenue sources by attracting tourists and other visitors to new attractions and special events.
• Archives of Ontario
  The Archives of Ontario preserves the province's documentary heritage, and makes it available to the public. You can use this website to search databases that describe our archival records and library holdings. You can also search our visual database for online reference copies of some of the photographs and documentary art in their holdings.
• Uncovering Aboriginal Places and Events
  Steep yourself in time-honoured traditions of an Aboriginal culture that's older than recorded time. Celebrate Aboriginal culture, history and traditions during Ontario's Heritage Week held each year during the last week of February.
• History Comes to Life in Ontario
  Slip back into time at Aboriginal gatherings where the air is still pungent with wood smoke and sweet grass. Thrill to the sounds of marching and musket fire at a stone fortress or paddle a Voyageur canoe at a fur trading post. Experience history in Ontario.
• Conservation Review Board
  The Conservation Review Board (CRB) was established in 1975 with the passage of the Ontario Heritage Act. Our mandate is to conduct hearings and make recommendations dealing with objections under Parts Four and Six of the Ontario Heritage Act:
• Archaeology in Ontario
  Ontario's heritage can be described as everything that our society values that has survived as a representation of our past.
• Historical Buildings and Sites in Ontario
  Learn more about historical buildings and sites in Ontario.
• Ontario Heritage Properties Database
  Searchable database containing information on over 5,000 heritage properties in Ontario.
• Ontario’s Heritage
  Our heritage tells us who we are, where we have come from and what we have accomplished. It is a source of strength and confidence that puts the changes of society into perspective and helps us to build a better future.
• Municipal Heritage Committees
  Our inheritance of architecture, cultural landscapes, and material culture is an irreplaceable asset and resource. In Ontario, the task of conserving our inheritance of historically and architecturally significant properties is primarily a municipal matter.
• Community Museums and Provincial Heritage Organizations
  Community Museums, Provincial Hertiage Organizations, and Historical Societies.
• Ministry of Culture
  The Ministry of Culture encourages the arts and cultural industries, protects Ontario's heritage and advances the public library system.
• Financial Support Programs
  Guide to Canadian Heritage Financial Support Programs and Public Acknowledgment of Financial Assistance