Municipal Heritage
Committees, such as Heritage Goderich, follow the guidelines
of the Ontario Heritage Act in order to conserve municipal
heritage resources. In April 2005, the Act was amended to
provide stronger protection for cultural heritage.
The provincial backgrounder to the amendments states the
following: "In Ontario communities, heritage is reflected
in landmark buildings; small town main streets; historic neighbourhoods;
scenic landscapes; archaeological sites; special cultural
places, including places of worship, cemeteries and aboriginal
sites; and such unique structures as lighthouses, mills, and
barns. These heritage resources are irreplaceable."
The most effective means by which a municipality can protect
heritage properties is to promote and recommend heritage designation.
Designation of individual properties or whole heritage conservation
districts identifies and protects these valuable heritage
resources and prevents the erosion of the municipality’s
cultural identity. The Town of Goderich currently has two
Heritage Conservation Districts and 39 individual Designated
Properties. An attractive, commemorative bronze plaque is
presented to the owner of each designated property and often
is displayed at the site.
Designated properties in Goderich:
The street names and the architecture in the older part of
town are indicative of the post-Napoleonic era, Wellington,
Waterloo, Nelson, etc. with most of the early houses Georgian
in style.
The following are pictures of the designated properties in
the town. For a larger picture and a description/ history
of each property.. click on the images below. |
