The Ontario Heritage Conference
June 20
The 2025 Ontario Heritage Conference is scheduled for June 19th to 21st in Prince Edward County!
A wide variety of sessions are planned for an informative and interesting few days that expand on the theme How Tourism, Economic Development & The Local Community Benefit from Adaptive Re-Use.
Thursday June 19
Enjoy socializing with your fellow heritage enthusiasts over a selection of drinks and snacks at the Crystal Palace from 5 pm to 9pm with early registration starting at 2 pm. The Crystal Palace is one of the world’s few surviving replicas of the famed glass structure inspired by the original Crystal Palace created by Sir Joseph Paxton in 1851 for the Great Exhibition in London England. The evening presentation will be by local historian Peter Lockyer, who has worked and supported the County’s heritage sector for decades. Peter will highlight the value of creating a Heritage Economy where local history can enhance the provision of goods and services, making history a significant economic driver. After the welcome reception and as capacity allows attendees can join ACO PEC for an architectural walking tour of downtown Picton, to see how chimney swifts, a species at risk in Ontario, use local heritage buildings as habitat.
Friday, June 20
Almost all conference offerings including breakfast, lunch and dinner will be at BASE31, located on the historic site of a 70-acre WWII air training base in Picton that is now a premier cultural destination, offering a unique setting for all types of events with acres of history and heritage to explore. The morning keynote moderated by Michael McClelland, Principal of ERA Architects is TERROIR: How is heritage conservation the impetus for economic development? Just as the concept of “terroir” is the foundation for good wine, heritage buildings and their landscapes are assets that can spur economic development through adaptive re-use. The morning session will end with a Pictorial Tour of Adaptive Re-use in Prince Edward County presented by ACO PEC followed by lunch. The afternoon will bring lots of programming choices for conference guests with topics ranging from Public Art to Social Justice, from Practical tools for heritage volunteers to 50yrs of the Heritage Act and Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na Language & Cultural Centre will share a 25-year history of preserving the Mohawk Language. The evening, will include some social time followed by the Gala Dinner and a presentation from Tim Jones, CEO of Base 31 who will share his thoughts on adaptive heritage and how it has been applied at Base31 to create a new space of value for the community. Guests are welcome to stay after dinner to tour the new Base31 museum that houses a Lancaster Bomber and to explore and enjoy the plethora of art installations and captivating experiences this space has to offer.
Saturday, June 21
Attendees will have a few choices on offer to get out and about in Prince Edward County and beyond! Programming ranges from a South Shore Adventure tour with ACO PEC, visiting some lesser known heritage delights to joining an accomplished group of local designers, builders and makers each of whom have contributed to the ongoing heritage restoration and revitalization of an East Lake Farm. There will also be a morning tour of the Picton Armory built in 1913, once used as a recruiting depot during WWI and WWII and now retrofitted for shops and services; as well as an early afternoon guided walking tour of Glenwood Cemetery; and a late afternoon visit to Macaulay Church for a presentation about Secret Societies and their Stained Glass. Heritage Belleville are also offering an intimate tour of Belleville’s downtown Memorial Market Place, City Hall, and City Market.
The conference will wrap up by recognizing and celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day with Tom Wilson & The Mohawk Choir performing at the beautiful Regent Theatre in historic downtown Picton on Saturday at 7:30pm. The Tom Wilson Mohawk Symphony, with its deeply personal themes and universal resonance, represents a landmark moment in contemporary Canadian music, inviting audiences on a transformative journey of discovery and connection.
Admission to all conference events are included with your conference ticket unless otherwise noted and as capacity allows. Accommodations and transportation are not included. For more information about the conference including accommodations, deals, a PDF Program, and other local attractions click here.