elcome to the web-site of Heritage Port Hope (HPH). We are an advisory committee of the Council of the Municipality of Port Hope. Our Committee's purpose is to advise Council on local heritage matters and to assist Council in the execution of its heritage conservation program as outlined in local by-laws and the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA).

In November 2007, we celebrated our 30th anniversary in St. Mark's Church, our first designated property. With others who have made such a significant contribution to heritage preservation in Port Hope, we enjoyed displays of the over 200 designated properties, an outstanding number for the size of our Municipality. Recently, our second heritage district was formed; the John, Ontario and Queen Street Heritage Conservation District.

The focus of HPH is to promote heritage conservation within the community and advise property owners on appropriate conservation practices. We recognize that heritage conservation goes beyond strict regulations and enforcement to include a co-operative approach when working with property owners and we encourage adaptive reuse as a way of preserving heritage architecture for future generations.

We have a number of on-going projects which includes creating new designations, fine tuning an inventory of important heritage structures, and completing a catalogue of designated properties. The latter includes architectural and historical abstracts and photographs, and is now over 500 pages long and growing.

HPH members are available to discuss  planned renovation and restoration projects or  assist with the completion of  heritage applications. If an owner wishes to designate their property (i.e. protect it under the OHA), please contact any member of HPH. The necessary research will be completed, and documentation prepared, with input from the owner and the Municipal Council. The goal of HPH is to help in any way possible with applications and designations!

Moya McPhail and Albert Seaman
Co-chairs
Heritage Port Hope Advisory Committee