Background My Goderich

Heritage

In Ontario communities, heritage is reflected in landmark buildings; small town main streets; historic neighbourhoods; scenic landscapes; archeological 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 prevents the erosion of a municipality's cultural identity and demonstrates the community's role as temporary custodian or protector of these resources for future generations.

The Town of Goderich currently has three Heritage Conservation Districts and more than 40 individual Designated Properties. 

What does it mean to be Designated?

Heritage properties often hold value for a larger community than just the individual owners alone. That value can lie in architectural appearance, as has traditionally been believed, but it can also be an expression of value deriving from a property's association with an event or a person. More recently, heritage value has been attributed to natural features in a community as well.
 
Designation is a bylaw of Council setting out a formal expression of the community's interest in the preservation of a property by publicly recognizing the importance the community attaches to it. Council manages changes to designated properties through the Municipal and Marine Heritage Committee. 

Explore the map below to view individually designated properties, designated districts, and properties with potential heritage value.

Heritage Tool Picture with Link to Tool

For more details, such as heritage permit applications, the tax refund program for designated heritage properties, and the Façade Restoration Loan Program, please visit the Heritage Permits webpage.