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Heritage Properties

Norfolk Heritage Committee

Duties of the Norfolk Heritage Committee:

  • advise and assist Norfolk County Council on matters relating to Parts IV and V of the Ontario Heritage Act
  • act as liaison with the property owners
  • research and keep an ongoing inventory of heritage properties
  • identify, protect and promote heritage resources in Norfolk County
  • network with other organizations and committees concerning heritage matters
Heritage Designated Properties in Norfolk County
Heritage Property Storyboard

Why a Property would be Designated?

  • architectural merit
  • unique style
  • historical background
  • natural visual beauty

What Could be Designated?

  • Structures

    Houses, barns, stores, bridges, public and industrial buildings, monuments, streetscapes and cemeteries

  • Landscapes

    Archaeological sites, parks, natural areas and vistas

Benefits of Designation

  • increases the value of the property
  • helps preserve the County’s heritage
  • a plaque is presented to the property owner
  • the neighbourhood is enhanced
  • community recognition of the heritage property
  • encourages others to seek designation

Criteria for Determining Cultural Heritage Value of Interest

Under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, a property may be designated if it meets two or more of the following criteria for determining whether it is of cultural heritage value or interest:

  • The property has design value or physical value because it

    • is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method,
    • displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit, or
    • demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement.

  • The property has historical value or associative value because it

    • has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization or institution that is significant to a community,
    • yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture, or
    • demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer or theorist who is significant to a community.

  • The property has contextual value because it

    • is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area,
    • is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings, or
    • is a landmark.
For more information about heritage designation please phone: 519-426-5870 ext. 1347
Request to designate (pdf form)