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Heritage

Heritage Explore the diverse stories behind our historic buildings, villages & landscapes

Our heritage is an important part of all of our communities in Kawartha Lakes.

Our historic buildings, villages and rural landscapes tell our story: they are a vital part of our identity and contribute to our community pride, fascinating history, character, and economic vitality. Throughout the municipality, you will see a wide array of unique heritage resources from our agricultural landscapes to our towns and villages to our industrial past.

Learn More about Heritage Designation

Contact the team

Emily Turner

Economic Development Officer - Heritage Planning

Explore Our Programs & Initiatives

Sturgeon Point Church
Heritage Designation
We conserve our heritage resources through heritage designation. Designation recognizes and celebrates important historic properties in Kawartha Lakes and helps manage change to ensure that the important buildings in our communities retain their historic character.
Heritage property plaque on a brick building
Heritage Inventory Project
Our historic places define our communities, tell our stories, and provide opportunities for the future. The City is undertaking a comprehensive inventory of its historic places, buildings, and landscapes through identifying and documenting the many heritage resources in our communities to understand what resources are present, their significance, and how best to preserve them. 
Boyd Museum Outside on a sunny spring or summer day
Heritage Outreach
Step back in time and experience the rich tapestry of heritage in Kawartha Lakes by getting involved with an event, workshop, or award presentation. Join us as we celebrate the heritage organizations in our communities dedicated to conserving and displaying the artifacts and archives that tell the rich story of our heritage. 

 Library exterior in spring

The Importance of Heritage Preservation

Heritage preservation is an essential part of the long-term growth of our municipality and a key contributor to our excellent quality of life in Kawartha Lakes.

Administered though the Economic Development office, we conserve these resources through property designation, plans and studies, and guidelines for preservation. We administer the Ontario Heritage Act, the provincial legislation which guides heritage preservation in Ontario, and develop policies and guidelines to manage heritage in Kawartha Lakes. We offer a variety of resources for property owners to help them conserve and protect our heritage properties.

Discover Heritage Resources for Owners


archaeological artifacts on black background

Archaeology

Kawartha Lakes has a rich Indigenous and non-Indigenous archaeological heritage that we are working to understand, manage and protect.

The City is currently in the process of preparing an Archaeological Management Plan (AMP) to help identify areas of archaeological potential within the municipality and create policies to conserve our archaeological heritage. The AMP will address provincially-mandated requirements for the conservation of archaeological sites and will help ensure the protection, preservation and sensitive treatment of archaeological sites across Kawartha Lakes.

Learn More About the AMP

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