Heritage

The Township of Centre Wellington is a vibrant, thriving community in southwestern Ontario with a rich heritage of cultural, archaeological and natural wonders that are unique in Canada. It was formed in 1999 with the amalgamation of the Town of Fergus, the Village of Elora and portions of Nichol, Pilkington, West Garafraxa and Eramosa Townships.

10,000 years ago, as the meltwater of retreating glaciers carved out the Grand River and spectacular gorge at Elora, giants walked the land. Bones discovered in 1839 indicate mastodons and woolly mammoths once roamed the primeval landscape. In the millennia since the Ice Age, our area has been home to indigenous peoples.

Nearly 200 years of built heritage thrives in every corner of the township. Quaint residential streets, historic downtowns, Scottish-influenced limestone buildings, bridges, churches, gardens and historic rural landscapes stand as reminders of the Township's heritage. Centre Wellington takes immense pride in its roots and stands together with individual property owners who are committed to protecting heritage for future generations.

Heritage planning staff and Heritage Centre Wellington promote heritage conservation through the documentation and protection of heritage properties and the implementation of policies to help guide change to these properties.

Centre Wellington Cultural Heritage Landscape Study

CHL Study Story Map 

Click on the CHL Study Story Map link above to view an animated visual summary of the study.

The Township of Centre Wellington has retained Archaeological Services Inc. (ASI), in collaboration with Fotenn Planning + Design and the Landplan Studio Inc. to undertake a Cultural Heritage Landscape Study in order to identify, evaluate, inventory, and map significant Cultural Heritage Landscapes (CHL) in Centre Wellington. 

The Township is in the final phase of the project with the release of the Draft CHL Study Report which provides information on the process undertaken to date, a list of identified CHLs and recommendations.  The report was presented to Committee of the Whole at a special meeting on Monday, November 30, 2020.

Written comments on the report are requested to be sent to Mariana Iglesias, Senior Planner, at miglesias@centrewelllington.ca by January 29, 2021.  Once all of the feedback is received, a final report will then be presented to Council for endorsement in late winter/early spring 2021. 

For more information on this project, please visit Connect CW.

Proposed Demolitions
Notice of Intention to Demolish, as required under Section 27(3) of the Ontario Heritage Act, has been received for the following listed properties:
 35 Sophia Street, Elora 

Rear addition only, to be considered by HCW on Oct. 13, 2020 (Committee of the Whole and/or Council Oct. 19/26)

515 St George St E, Fergus 

Rear addition and carport only, to be considered by HCW on Oct. 13, 2020 (Committee of the Whole and/or Council Oct. 19/26)

325 Garafraxa St W, Fergus

Rear accessory building (detached garage) only, to be considered by HCW on Oct. 13, 2020 (Committee of the Whole and/or Council Oct. 19/26)  

 

An application to demolish structure(s), as required under Section 34(1) of the Ontario Heritage Act, has been received for the following designated properties: 

 
 

Heritage Property Information

If you own a heritage building in Centre Wellington, you should consider the following information:

The Heritage Register:

  • A list of heritage properties designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and those not designated but considered to have potential heritage value
  • Properties are added by Council, after consultation with the Municipal Heritage Committee
  • Having your property listed on the Register does not impact the ability to make alterations

If you would like to demolish a listed heritage building or structure:

  • You must give the Township 60 days notice prior to applying for a demolition permit
  • Staff and the heritage committee will review your request and evaluate the property
  • A recommendation will be made to Council about demolition based on the cultural heritage value of the property

What is Heritage Designation?

  • A legal process under the Ontario Heritage Act that gives a property special status (identified with a plaque)
  • Can apply to a structure, building, landscape, or other property that is significant to the community 
  • A way to identify and protect the physical attributes that make a structure, building, landscape or other property significant
  • A way for the owner to express pride in the heritage value of their property

What Does Being Designated Mean?

How Do I Make a Heritage Permit Application?

Heritage Committee

Heritage Centre Wellington is a volunteer-based advisory committee to municipal council. It consists of citizen representatives appointed by Council to advise on matters concerning heritage as legislated by the Ontario Heritage Act.

Heritage Centre Welllington is available as a resource on all aspects of heritage conservation and advocacy within the Township. The public is invited to attend the committee's monthly meetings.

For more information about the Heritage Centre Wellington and the Heritage Committee:

Heritage Property Search

Contact Us