By Pamela Minns
There is one heritage conference each year in Ontario, Canada, and this 2015 it will be held in Niagara-on-the-Lake from April 30th through May 3rd.
The 19th century Keefer mansion, now a fine inn and restaurant in the Niagara, Ontario community of Thorold, almost faced the wrecking ball a decade ago. Thanks to heritage advocates and private business partners it was saved.
The number of attendees is expected to be well over 300, travelling from around the province and beyond. Conferences in recent years have been held in Kingston, Midland and Cornwall.
The conference will feature a wide range of expert speakers who will focus on historic and heritage issues of local and provincial interest. Delegates can join the River Road Heritage Tour and appreciate what Sir Winston Churchill described as “the prettiest Sunday drive in the world”, as well as Niagara Parks Commission sites not normally accessible to the public. Delegates to this conference will also \witness, firsthand, the good, the bad and the ugly of urban planning – from devastation to regeneration in Niagara. Included will be a tour of the late 1830s mansion and grounds of southern Ontario’s premier school of restoration arts – Willowbank, in the Village of Queenston.
Thorold has a great opportunity to showcase its downtown revitalization when a presentation will be made at the conference by City of Thorold Planning on the extensive work which is underway in our business area; as well, delegates to the conference will have an opportunity to tour our downtown, to see, first hand, the massive changes which are taking place.
There will also be a presentation at the conference on the adaptive re-use of Maplehurst to the Keefer Mansion Inn; delegates will also have an opportunity to tour the Keefer and experience dinner there. A presentation will be made, as well, on the story of our historic Beaverdams Church – past, present and future.
Niagara is constantly facing the pressures of the modern world – from the impact of decay by apathy to the incursions of irresponsible development. This year, Niagara will be proud to showcase its victories and share what it has learned from its losses.
Niagara is one of the oldest and most historic areas in Ontario, and with its central location, a great interest has been shown in picturesque Niagara on the Lake as the venue for this year’s conference.
Further information, detailed program and registration can be accessed on the conference official web site “Ontario Heritage Conference 2015” or – email: vodonnell32@gmail.com
(Pamela Minns is a Thorold, Ontario resident who has volunteered many years to protecting and preserving heritage properties in the Niagara region. Niagara At Large is pleased, once again, to post news from her on this site.)
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What an interesting article. I hope to join some of you for a day at this event. Posters have been posted throughout Niagara. Well done you, Pam, for promoting this event for heritage enthusiasts.
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