Building Stories - Year 1 Successes

On April 30, 2012 a new website and mobile application launched that enables Canadians to take a direct role in identifying important community heritage assets. Building Stories(www.buildingstories.co) is an incredible new on-line resource making thousands of original documents, photos and historical records available online from a wide variety of communities. Since the launch the website has had great successes including:

• 925 historic sites added 
• Historic sites from every province and territory added, and our first US site added 
• 216 registered members 
• 18 registered groups 
• Presentations on the website at the Heritage Canada Conference, National Preservation Conference and Ontario Heritage Conference
• Between September 2012 and December 2012 we had 3898 visitors to the website 
• News Article in the  Globe and Mail and article in theOntario Professional Planners Institute Journal
• Commercial in Old Home Television episodes

News Release: Heritage Conservation Districts – More Stories of Success

News Release

Heritage Conservation Districts – More Stories of Success

Toronto, January 10, 2013 - The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) has completed the second phase of a study on Heritage Conservation Districts across Ontario, and once again determined that they do indeed work.

Building on the findings of Heritage Districts Work! Phase 1, which examined the oldest 32 districts in the province. Phase 2 Heritage Conservation Districts – More Stories of Success continued to look at well-established districts. The 32 districts examined were designated in or before 2002 and are found in the following municipalities: Cobourg, Hamilton, Ottawa, St. Catharines, Markham, Toronto, Centre Wellington, Orangeville, London, Stratford, and the Region of Waterloo. 

First phase results were confirmed. Most districts have met their goals, real estate values in Heritage Conservation Districts generally rise more consistently than surrounding areas, and people are overwhelmingly satisfied with living and working in districts.

Specifically, 26 of the 32 districts met all their goals. However, almost a third of districts did not have clear goals stated in their district plans. The goal used in these cases was an implied intent of heritage building conservation and maintenance. The lack of clarity shows a need for refinement in the future.

People are overwhelmingly satisfied with living or owning property in a district. When asked,  461 of the 857 people surveyed (over half) said they were very satisfied. An additional 232 people stated they were satisfied. In total, 693 people (80%) are happy living or owning property in a district. Combined, the dissatisfied

respondents represent less than 4% of all those surveyed.

Of the 871 properties in the districts that had two or more sales, 369 showed above average sales history trajectories. While 297 had average trajectories, only 204 performed below average. In short, the evidence says there is a strong real estate market.  

Interestingly, when all 64 districts were compared it was discovered that the longer a district operated the better they performed. When the districts from Phase 1 and 2 are combined and are sorted by performance score, trends emerge. At the highest end are a cluster of districts from phase 1, the oldest districts in Ontario (designated before 1992). The opposite is also true, at the lowest end of the scores are a block of districts from phase 2 (newer districts between 1992 and 2002).

Comparison of all 64 also revealed that a district’s success is largely attributed to the management of the area at the City level. However, active citizen groups also play a fundamental role in education related to district designation and operation. Following the completion of both phases of study, 12 districts were found to have education issues. Of these 12, only two had active citizen groups. This is a logical finding as unlike City staff, an active citizen group is consistently present in the district, as they reside or volunteer there. Although formal education is generally the mandate of these groups, they also serve to educate residents informally through casual interactions. In other words, community groups are an integral part of community education and the maintenance of successful districts.

This project was carried out by the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO), an Ontario based not-for-profit organization, on behalf of the hundreds of volunteers in communities across Ontario all of whom work passionately to maintain the built culture of our province. The ACO was funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and  partnered with several other volunteer groups including Heritage Ottawa and Community Heritage Ontario. Dedicated volunteers surveyed residences in the Heritage Conservation Districts and provided energy and purpose to the project. The efforts of the volunteers were assisted and coordinated through cooperation between the ACO and the Heritage Resources Centre (HRC) at the University of Waterloo.

The reports for each district, as well as the summary report, can be accessed on the Heritage Resources Centre’s website at: www.env.uwaterloo.ca/research/hrc/projects/heritage_conservation_districts/

You can learn more about the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, and donate to future research initiatives at: www.arconserv.ca

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More than a trip to the beach: A look at Forest, Ontario’s unique heritage

Guest blogger Lindsay Benjamin 

 For over 100 years members of my family have called Forest, Ontario home. I’ve only been around to enjoy 29 of those years in Forest, but this summer, for the first time, I saw Forest in a new light. Every year my family heads to heavenly Hillsboro beach, just outside of town to gather at our family cottage. Although our family built the cottage in the 1950s (and those neighbouring it), I never had much time to explore the local heritage. I was usually distracted by Lake Huron’s sandy beach, warm water and time spent with family. That was until I stumbled upon a Forest Heritage Walking tour in July while shopping Forest’s main street (King Street). I didn’t hesitate to tag along with the group guided by knowledgeable local historians. We strolled Forest’s core then hopped on a hayride through town, touring many of Forest’s historic gems. For your viewing pleasure I’ve recounted some of the highlights! 1. A. Hodgson Enterprize Building, 35 King Street West. A beautiful Italianate commercial structure built in 1888 and representing one of the most impressive, well-preserved buildings on King Street West (downtown). My great-grandmother worked here for a time when it was a pharmacy many moons ago (more precisely, some time in the 1950s).

Hodgson Enterprize Building 

2. Station Library, 61 King Street West. The first train station in Forest was opened here in 1859 on the recently completed Grand Trunk line from Guelph to Sarnia. It provided the nucleus around which the town grew. In 1985 the station was converted to a library and a caboose was installed to pay homage to the railways contribution to the founding of Forest.

 Station Library 

A plaque erected by the Ontario Heritage Trust, and located next to the Library and caboose details the history of Forest.

 The Founding of Forest plaque located outside the Station Library. 

3. Kiwanis Kineto Theatre, 24 King Street West. One of my favourite places in Forest and the site of the first time my mom let me go to a movie ALONE… 500 metres from my grandma’s house! The Munro Brother’s built the theatre in 1875 and in 1905, George Lundy and Floyd Rumford started the motion picture business. The name “Kineto” came from the type of equipment being used. Thanks to the Kiwanis Club, the theatre is now one of the few remaining independent theatres in operation in Ontario.

Kiwanis Kineto Theatre

 The picture below gives you a glimpse of what the inside of the theatre once looked like. Not much has changed since then, aside from the addition of more comfortable chairs.

Historic photo of the interior of Forest’s Kiwanis Kineto Theatre.

4. Rumford Bakery, 8 Main Street North. Although it may not be much to look at today thanks to the addition of aw-inspiring vinyl siding, the Rumford Bakery holds a spot near and deal to my heart. Well, let’s be honest, my stomach. Operating continuously as a bakery from 1884 to 2008, this site represented a tasty and reliable meeting place for Forest residents. Edward Rumford opened this bakeshop and confectionary in 1880 and the present building was built in 1906. Recently the building was transformed into a local museum, but it’s use as a bakery is well represented among the displays. The Rumford Bakery sign still hangs on the façade. I’ll miss you delicious Forest macaroons, rolls, peanut butter cookies, and…you get the point!

 Rumford Bakery 

5. Forest Carnegie Library, 12 Main Street North. In 1910 council requested $3,000 from the Carnegie Institute to build a library. It was constructed for $4,765 and represents the first building in Forest to be recognized as a historic landmark with plaque affixed to its façade (see picture below). The building is in rough shape, but still a beauty. I love the addition of the eyebrow window over the portico.

 Forest Carnegie Library 

Forest Carnegie Library plaque

 6. St. James Presbyterian Church, corner of Main Street North and Jefferson Street West. St. James has been attended by members of my family for over 100 years and has been the site of many celebrations and remembrances. The present cornerstone was laid in 1890 and the church was dedicated in 1891.

St. James Presbyterian Church 

The interior of the church has been beautifully preserved with an exquisite organ, and extensive woodwork, stained glass and murals (see pictures below).

St. James Presbyterian Church, murals and organ. 

St. James Presbyterian Church, interior woodwork and brackets. 

 St. James Presbyterian Church wood pews.

Historical Walking Tour of North York Centre

*Saturday, September 15, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. *


In celebration of North York Central Library's 25th anniversary take a
walking tour of the North York Centre neighbourhood!  The tour will include
both historic sites, such as Gibson House Museum, and modern sites in the
vicinity of the library, with a special emphasis on buildings and people
that contributed to the development of public library service in North
York. Free.  Co-sponsored by the Toronto Public Library, North York
Historical Society and North York Community Preservation Panel. For more
information call 416-395-5623.

This walk begins and ends at the North York Central Library foyer.