News
2025
April 25, 2025
Celebrate the hard work of heritage with the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards
TORONTO — Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario are celebrating the 2024 recipients of the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards. These annual juried awards, administered by the Trust, recognize people’s outstanding achievements across a variety of pursuits in preserving and promoting Ontario’s heritage ...
April 24, 2025
Indulge your curiosity and discover your province with Doors Open Ontario in 2025
TORONTO — Doors Open Ontario is the perfect way to explore Ontario’s historical hidden gems this year! The Ontario Heritage Trust supports municipalities and other groups across the province to present Doors Open Ontario events in their communities each year, providing visitors and locals with opportunities to explore behind normally closed doors. In 2025, you can explore 32 participating communities ...
April 11, 2025
TORONTO — On Thursday, April 10, the Ontario Heritage Trust celebrated five outstanding people with King Charles III Coronation Medals ...
January 31, 2025
Celebrate Black History Month with the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
DRESDEN — This February, join the Ontario Heritage Trust to celebrate Black History Month with events and programs at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History ...
January 9, 2025
The Museum of Northern History at the Sir Harry Oakes Chateau will reopen this February
KIRKLAND LAKE — The Museum of Northern History at the Sir Harry Oakes Chateau, a beloved pillar of Kirkland Lake’s heritage, will reopen in February thanks to the collaborative efforts of many, including the Oakes Project: Heritage, Arts and Tourism (OPHAT), the Town of Kirkland Lake and the Ontario Heritage Trust ...
2024
September 26, 2024
WATERLOO — Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust, in partnership with the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario, unveiled a provincial plaque commemorating the young men who served at the Montreal River Alternative Service Work Camp. The camp is historically significant as the model for what would become a national system of alternative service during the wartime years ...
September 24, 2024
Let heritage inspire your art with the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Program in 2025
TORONTO — The Ontario Heritage Trust is now accepting applications for the 10th anniversary of the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Program. Residencies are available for 2025 with flexible terms ranging from one to three months. The program is hosted in Scarborough at the Trust-owned Fool’s Paradise, which is the former home and studio of renowned Canadian landscape painter Doris McCarthy ...
July 23, 2024
Celebrate Emancipation Day at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
DRESDEN — On Saturday, July 27, join us at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History for Emancipation Day — an annual celebration of hope and freedom that commemorates the end of slavery in Canada and is a reminder of the continuing struggle for inclusivity and equity ...
June 4, 2024
William Grenville Davis honoured through the Premiers’ Gravesites Program
BRAMPTON — Today, at the Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives, the Ontario Heritage Trust unveiled a marker commemorating the gravesite of the Honourable William Grenville Davis, 18th premier of Ontario ...
April 26, 2024
Explore nearly 30 communities with Doors Open Ontario — for free!
TORONTO — Discover your hometown’s history or take a daytrip to explore heritage sites in the province with Doors Open Ontario, an annual program of the Ontario Heritage Trust. This year kicks off on April 27 in Guelph, followed by 28 other communities opening their doors, free of charge, this spring through fall ...
February 22, 2024
2023 Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards recognize exceptional Ontarians
TORONTO — Today, the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and John Ecker, Chair, Board of Directors, Ontario Heritage Trust, presented the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards for 2023 ...
February 5, 2024
Celebrate Black History Month with the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
DRESDEN — Join the Ontario Heritage Trust to mark Black History Month with cultural events and programs at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History ...
2023
September 25, 2023
New provincial plaque commemorates Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague School
SUDBURY — Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust, in partnership with the Uptown Sudbury Community Action Network (CAN), unveiled a provincial plaque commemorating the Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague School. The school is significant for its role in protecting access to French-language education during the challenging period of Regulation 17 ...
August 5, 2023
Ontario Heritage Trust provincial plaque commemorates the history of Moose Factory
MOOSE FACTORY ISLAND — Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust, in partnership with the Moose River Heritage and Hospitality Association and the Moose Cree First Nation, unveiled a new provincial plaque commemorating the long history of what is today known as Moose Factory ...
July 19, 2023
Applications open for 2024 Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Program
TORONTO — The Ontario Heritage Trust is now accepting applications for the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Program. Residencies are available throughout 2024, with flexible terms ranging from one to three months. The application deadline is October 10, 2023 ...
July 17, 2023
Free Emancipation Day event at Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
DRESDEN — The Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History is celebrating Emancipation Day with free admission. Join in the celebration at the museum on Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for educational and family-fun entertainment that will reflect on Black history and honour the strength and resilience of Black communities across Ontario ...
June 23, 2023
New provincial plaque honours Trooper Lorne Mulloy
IROQUOIS — Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust and the Trooper Lorne Mulloy Memorial Committee unveiled a provincial plaque to commemorate this Canadian veteran of the South African War for his significant role in veterans’ rights and welfare ...
May 17, 2023
Explore Ontario’s history with a visit to the Ontario Heritage Trust’s museums and sites
ONTARIO — Kick off the Victoria Day long weekend with a visit to the Ontario Heritage Trust’s Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History in Dresden or Fulford Place in Brockville. The museums reopen to the public starting Saturday, May 20 for the spring/summer season ...
April 26, 2023
Doors Open Ontario is back! 13 weekends, 22 events and hundreds of places to visit for free in 2023
TORONTO — Starting April 29 in Guelph, hundreds of places across the province will open their doors free of charge as part of Doors Open Ontario, an annual program of the Ontario Heritage Trust. The 2023 season will be held over 13 weekends and features 22 in-person events running from April to October ...
March 31, 2023
FORT FRANCES — Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust and Borderland Pride unveiled a new provincial plaque recognizing an important moment in transgender history in Ontario and Canada. The unveiling ceremony was held at the Fort Frances Museum & Cultural Centre to coincide with International Transgender Day of Visibility ...
February 23, 2023
TORONTO — Today, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and John Ecker, Chair, Board of Directors, Ontario Heritage Trust, presented the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards to those who made exceptional contributions to cultural and natural heritage conservation, environmental sustainability and biodiversity in 2022 ...
February 13, 2023
TORONTO — Celebrate the province’s natural and cultural heritage and learn about local history this Ontario Heritage Week, February 20-26 ...
January 30, 2023
Celebrate Black History Month with the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
DRESDEN — To celebrate Black History Month, the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History is offering in-person and virtual tours for all ages ...
January 16, 2023
New group of artists to live and create at the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Centre
TORONTO — The Ontario Heritage Trust is pleased to welcome six new artists to the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Centre. Hosted at the former home and studio of renowned Canadian artist Doris McCarthy, the residency offers artists a quiet space to retreat, revitalize and focus on their practice ...
2022
October 13, 2022
New provincial plaque commemorates Mother Marie Thomas d’Aquin (1877-1963)
OTTAWA – Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust, in partnership with the Sisters of the Jeanne d’Arc Institute, unveiled a provincial plaque commemorating Mother Marie Thomas d’Aquin (1877-1963) for her significant contributions toward advancing the status of women and for her positive impact on the community of Lowertown Ottawa, Ontario and beyond ...
September 30, 2022
SAULT STE. MARIE – Today, on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Ontario Heritage Trust, in partnership with the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association (CSAA) and Algoma University, unveiled a new provincial plaque commemorating the former Shingwauk Indian Residential School ...
July 30, 2022
Introducing the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
DRESDEN – Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust announced it has renamed Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site to the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History in honour of Josiah Henson ...
July 18, 2022
Celebrate Emancipation Day on July 30 at Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site
DRESDEN – The Ontario Heritage Trust’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site welcomes the public back for in-person Emancipation Day celebrations ...
July 4, 2022
Applications open for 2023 Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Program
TORONTO – The Ontario Heritage Trust is now accepting applications to the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Program. Residencies are available throughout 2023, with flexible terms ranging from one to three months. The application deadline is September 30, 2022 ...
May 18, 2022
ONTARIO – The Ontario Heritage Trust’s museums are reopening their doors to the public this summer. These provincially significant sites explore Ontario’s shared history and bring it to life through interactive public tours, exhibits and special events ...
April 28, 2022
TORONTO – Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust unveiled four updated provincial plaques commemorating four significant communities and events from Southwestern Ontario and Niagara Region’s Black history ...
April 25, 2022
TOWN OF LINCOLN – The Ontario Heritage Trust is partnering with the Town of Lincoln, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and the Bruce Trail Conservancy on the Niagara Twenty Valley Trail Revitalization Project ...
April 22, 2022
Doors Open Ontario returns with more in-person events for 2022 season
TORONTO – Expand your horizon and go behind the scenes of some of Ontario’s most significant places and spaces. Doors Open Ontario returns with a larger number of in-person events this spring, starting on Mother’s Day weekend ...
February 25, 2022
TORONTO – The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and John Ecker, Chair of the Ontario Heritage Trust, presented projects and individuals who made exceptional contributions to heritage conservation with the 2021 Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards during a virtual ceremony on February 24, 2022 ...
February 17, 2022
Celebrate Ontario’s heritage during Heritage Week, February 21-27
TORONTO – February 21-27 is Ontario Heritage Week, an opportunity for communities across the province to celebrate Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage and explore local history. The Ontario Heritage Trust is offering a range of digital programs for all ages throughout the week ...
February 4, 2022
Black History Month: Free virtual programs from Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site
DRESDEN – The Ontario Heritage Trust invites all Ontarians to celebrate and recognize the legacy of Black Canadians during Black History Month with Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site ...
January 31, 2022
TORONTO – Six artists from across Canada have been selected for the eighth year of the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Program ...