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 is completing a new Archaeological Management Plan (AMP) and we will be out in your community in fall 2024!
Our new AMP is being developed to guide how we manage archaeological resources across Kawartha Lakes. Join us at your local Kawartha Lakes Public Library branch to learn more about archaeology across the City and the AMP project.
A public meeting for this project is also being held on November 28, 2024 at the Lindsay Armoury (210 Kent Street West). Join us for an open house from 4pm to 6pm and a presentation with questions and discussion to follow from 6pm to 8pm.
Check out our Jump In project page for a schedule of library events and more information on this project.
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
Researching Your Historic Property
Are you interested in learning more about your historic house, farm or business? Join us for this introductory workshop that will help you get started on researching the history of your property and help you find and use resources available in Kawartha Lakes.
The workshop will take place on Saturday November 23 from 10:30am to 12:30 pm at the Fenelon Falls Library (19 Market Street). Advanced registration is encouraged but not 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
Archaeology 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)
Discover Doors Open
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. The City hosts Doors Open Ontario biannually (alternates with Osprey Heritage Awards).
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding upcoming or past Doors Open events.
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