EARY BIRD PRICING EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 7th – See our REGISTRATIONS page

Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Community Heritage Ontario, the Frontenac Heritage Foundation, and the Organizing Committee of the Ontario Heritage Conference 2012 are pleased to welcome you to this year’s conference, located in the City of Kingston.

Entitled Beyond Borders: Heritage Best Practice, the conference brings together heritage volunteers, advocates, consultants, and government employees. Kingston is a city that boasts one of the oldest municipal heritage programs in Canada. First settled in 1673, the City of Kingston is one of the oldest European settlements in Ontario. Its heritage program was first established in 1958, and the Corporation of the City of Kingston has been engaged in many of the earliest heritage innovations in the province. This includes establishment of the Kingston Act in 1970. A private members bill that predated and informed the Ontario Heritage Act, the Kingston Act allowed the City to legislatively protect its heritage. Barriefield Village was the first heritage conservation district approved by a municipal council in 1979.

With over 1200 properties on its municipal heritage register, numerous archaeological sites, and part of the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site, Kingston is one of the most historic communities in Canada. It is a former capital of the United Provinces of Canada and was traditionally a meeting place for cultures. It remains a jewel at the nexus of the Rideau Canada, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River.

The conference will feature a range of speakers and reflect on international, national, provincial and local heritage practices. Keynote speakers include Dr. Hal Kalman and Dr. Randy Mason. It also includes tours of unique heritage sites such as Shoal Tower, the Lower Burial Ground, and the Old Sydenham Heritage Area as well as dinner on Friday night. New this year, is an additional day of optional pre-conference events. These day-long and half-day events give an opportunity to delve deeper into specific heritage topics such as the architecture of Upper Canada, heritage windows, and the churches of Kingston. An optional Saturday night dinner at the Royal Military College of Canada is not to be missed.

All events are within walking distance of Kingston City Hall National Historic Site of Canada. The plenary session takes place at St George’s Cathedral, and conference sessions in Kingston City Hall NHSC, St. George’s Cathedral, and the Marriott Hotel.
We look forward to seeing you in Kingston May 31 to June 3, 2012!