Heritage

The lands we know today as the Township of Centre Wellington have been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. We acknowledge that we are on the treaty lands and traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and the Haudenosaunee.

With increasing encroachment by non-Indigenous settlers in the Township of Centre Wellington, the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee could not continue their traditional lifestyle and settled in their villages along the Credit River and in the Grand River Valley. These Indigenous nations uphold their Treaty Rights within our jurisdiction.

Today, the Township of Centre Wellington remains home to Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to share and respect Mother Earth and are committed to building constructive and cooperative relationships with Indigenous nations.

The Township has closed the application period for the 2025 Community Heritage Grant Program.

Owners of properties designated under the Ontario Heritage Act as having cultural heritage value or interest may be eligible to receive grants toward the conservation of their property. The Community Heritage Grant Program is designed to assist designated property owners in their conservation efforts by providing financial assistance through grants, under certain terms and conditions.

Before applying, please consult the following:

• Community Heritage Grant Program Guidelines
• By-law 2024-01
• The owner or Authorized Agent should consult with Township staff

In June 2021, Council endorsed the “Cultural Heritage Landscape Study and Inventory for the Township of Centre Wellington”.  The goal of the project was to identify, evaluate, inventory, and map significant cultural heritage landscapes (CHLs) in Centre Wellington.  The project identified 19 significant CHLs. In future, these CHLs are anticipated to be formally recognized through policies and mapping. 

For more information related to this project, please email:  Mariana Iglesias, Manager of Planning Services.

• Final Cultural Heritage Landscape Study and Inventory - Volume 1
• Final Cultural Heritage Landscape Study and Inventory - Volume 2
• Final Cultural Heritage Landscape Study and Inventory - Volume 3

The area currently known as the “Pierpoint Fly Fishing Nature Reserve” at 255 Lamond Street, Fergus, was once part of a 100 acre land grant given to Richard Pierpoint for his military service.  Richard Pierpoint is recognized as one of the earliest known non-Indigenous settlers in Centre Wellington, east of present-day Fergus.  He was a prominent Black Loyalist, soldier, griot, and farmer.  The area is considered significant for its direct link to the early history of Black Canadians since it served as a refuge and stopping point while travelling to and from other Black settlements throughout the Queen’s Bush, stretching from Wellington County to Lake Huron.  It is a significant part of the Township’s non-Indigenous settlement history. Richard Pierpoint was designated a National Historic Person by Parks Canada in 2020 for his leadership and advocacy for early Black settlers in Upper Canada.

The Pierpoint Fly Fishing Nature Reserve is identified as a significant Cultural Heritage Landscape (CHL) in the Township’s recent CHL Study & Inventory. It was also protected by Township Council in 2023 through heritage designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. 

The land upon which the Nature Reserve is located was generously donated to the Township in 2010 for use as a passive park providing access for flyfishing and enjoyment of the area’s natural spaces and wildlife for generations to come.  

• Staff Report: PLN2023-61
• Designation Bylaw 2023-092
• Storyboard
• Wellington County Museum and Archives Story Map
• Centre Wellington CHL Study & Inventory - Pierpoint Fly Fishing Nature Reserve, CHL #19

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?

• The property is formally recognized in the community for its cultural heritage value

• A heritage permit may be required to make alterations that might affect the identified heritage attributes

• Review of alterations is guided by the guidelines as set out in the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.

How Do I Make a Heritage Permit Application?

• Complete the Heritage Permit Application and submit it to the Planning and Development Department

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:

• Meeting Schedule, Agendas and Minutes