Our community has a deep-rooted connection to its heritage and legacy that deserves both celebration and preservation. Explore the captivating stories that have shaped our region, as well as the diverse array of activities designed to foster a deeper understanding of our collective past.
Understanding and embracing our heritage is more than a nostalgic journey; it is a key to unlocking a sense of identity and belonging. Whether you're a lifelong resident or a newcomer, our Heritage Outreach initiatives provide a gateway to connecting with our collective past. All of us play a role in preserving and promoting the unique heritage that makes Kawartha Lakes a special place to live, work, and thrive.
Emily Turner
Laura Love
Discover Upcoming Events
The City of Kawartha Lakes is hosting Doors Open on September 15, 2024!
The City hosts Doors Open Ontario biannually (alternates with Osprey Heritage Awards). This year, we will be hosting Doors Open on September 15 and focusing on Fenelon Falls, Sturgeon Point and Bobcaygeon to recognize the 150th anniversary of Fenelon Falls and the 125th anniversary of Sturgeon Point. Sites and information on the event will be posted on our Doors Open 2024 page.
The City of Kawartha Lakes has participated in Doors Open for over a decade. The event has been organized and run by various groups throughout the years but, since 2019, has been primarily organized by the Kawartha Lakes Municipal Heritage Committee and has taken place on the second Sunday in September. A subcommittee is formed to act as the organizing Committee for the event and are supported by Economic Development staff.
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding upcoming or past Doors Open events.
The City’s Heritage Planning program hosts various workshops for heritage property owners and community members interested in our built history throughout the year. Check back here for updates on future workshops and learning opportunities.
Is there a heritage workshop you think we should host and would be beneficial to the community? Let us know!
Upcoming Workshops
Designating Your Historic Property
Are you interested in learning about designating your historic property? This workshop will provide information about how heritage designation works in Ontario and what it means for you.
The workshop will take place on May 22 from 7pm to 9pm at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Lindsay (40 William Street North). Advanced registration is encouraged.
Local History Workshop
Would you like to begin researching the history of your local community? This workshop will be an introduction to local history research, how to do it and where to find resources in Kawartha Lakes.
This workshop will take place on July 24 from 7pm to 9pm at Trinity United Church in Bobcaygeon (44 William Street). Advanced registration is encouraged.
This event was originally scheduled for June 13 but was postponed due to inclement weather.
Heritage Permitting Webinar
This webinar is for heritage property owners who want to know more about permitting for their historic properties. The webinar will cover when a heritage permit is required and how to successfully apply for one.
The webinar will take place on June 24 from 7pm to 8pm online. Advanced registration for this event is required.
Discover Our Heritage Awards
Every other year, the City of Kawartha Lakes Municipal Heritage Committee hosts the Osprey Heritage Awards. These awards are given out to members of the community who have made exemplary contributions to the preservation and promotion of heritage in Kawartha Lakes.
The next Osprey Heritage Awards will take place in 2025. Information regarding nomination process is posted in early September of the year of the awards. Check back here for more information or explore our award categories below:
Publication & Research
| Award Details |
| This award goes to non-fiction work about Kawartha Lakes archeological, built, cultural and/or natural heritage (example: exhibits, books, articles, etc.) |
Community Heritage
| Award Details |
| Awarded to a volunteer-based organization or individual that promotes and/or protects heritage in the City of Kawartha Lakes |
Heritage Restoration / Adaptive Reuse
| Award Details |
This award goes to a property owner (residential or business) that has completed:
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The City of Kawartha Lakes is excited to announce that the Municipal Heritage Committee will be further celebrating community heritage with a new award, the Heritage Milestone Award. This award acknowledges, in 25 year increments, the dedication of heritage organizations within the City of Kawartha Lakes.
This award will be presented to the heritage organization recipient(s) the same date as the Osprey Heritage Awards. Heritage organizations are defined as community museums, archives and historical societies.
Nomination Process
Nominations will be accepted for any individual, organization or businesses in Kawartha Lakes that has had an impact on local heritage in one of the award categories.
Nominees must be informed of and consent to the nomination. You may self-nominate.
Individual nominees must reside, work or invest in the City of Kawartha Lakes
Business and organization nominees must have a location in the City of Kawartha Lakes
Projects and programs being nominated must be completed before they are eligible for an award.
Award Eligibility
All property uses are eligible (residential, commercial, institutional, private, public, etc.)
All heritage categories are eligible (archeological, built, cultural, and/or natural, etc.)
Active members of the City of Kawartha Lakes Municipal Heritage Committee and all related committees and working groups are not eligible for award nomination.
The nominations will be adjudicated by a panel of judges that consist of members of the Municipal Heritage Committee and the Outreach Subcommittee. The judges have the discretion to place any entry into an alternate category with the nominator’s permission. The judges who have submitted nominations will recuse themselves from that particular nomination decision. All decisions are final.
2018
Architectural Heritage
Jim O’Reilly, Old Lindsay Post
Archeology History
Tim Mohr
Community Heritage
Ian McKechnie
Business Leader Heritage
Aaron Young, Pie Eyed Monk Brewery
Heritage Vision
Lisa Hart
2023
Publication and Research
Sarah Walker Howe for Historic Citizens of Kawartha Lakes
Community Heritage
Manvers Township Historical Society
Heritage Preservation/Adaptive Re-Use
Paulette Sopoci for Primrose Hill Manor
Heritage Milestone Award
A. Sheila Boyd Foundation/Boyd Heritage Museum (25 years)
Want to learn more about our heritage? Explore more...
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