Heritage Orangeville advises Council on the designation of historically, architecturally and culturally significant properties in the Town of Orangeville as outlined in the Ontario Heritage Act. This includes, but is not limited to:

Get Involved: Join a Committee Today!

Heritage Orangeville Committee - Three (3) Vacancies

Heritage Orangeville meets monthly or as required. Consideration will be given to individuals who have the following:

  • An interest in the complexities, benefits and challenges of heritage preservation, both generally and within the context of the Town of Orangeville.
  • Have a special interest or knowledge in conducting research with respect to historical matters, urban design, or conservation practices related to heritage restoration.
  • A background in local history, genealogy, or experience in planning and land development.

Apply Here

Completed applications may be submitted online, dropped off, or mailed to Clerk's Division, Municipal Offices, 87 Broadway, Orangeville, ON L9W 1K1 or submitted via email to [email protected]. If you have any questions or require the application in an alternative form, please email [email protected] or contact 519-941-0440, ext 2242. 

The deadline to submit an application is Monday, March 17, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

Heritage Week 2025

Settlement by Europeans has had a profound impact on the environment. In Orangeville, the theme for Heritage Week 2025 (February 17-23) is "Orangeville Through the Years" centring on the transformation of our local landscape through human settlement. Through a display opening at the Alder Street Recreation Centre on February 18, an in-person "Historical Chat" on February 18 at Mochaberry, and the 2025 Heritage Orangeville calendar, the Committee hopes that residents will have a greater understanding of the reasons for settlement in this area and the changes such settlement have brought to the landscape.

Register for the free Historical Chat taking place on Tuesday, February 18 at 6 pm at the following link. Space are limited.

Tickets for a Historical Chat with Lynda Addy

 Museum of Dufferin Site of Leighton’s Mill east of Wellington Street during the flood of 1890

"... you and I will never be able to recreate the smell of hundreds of years of humus, or feel the cool of the air on the forest bottom where the sunshine seldom reached, even in the middle of summer... This is the past of Orangeville that we will never know -- the history before the arrival of humans".

Wayne Townsend, Orangeville: The Heart of Dufferin County

P-2368-1: Museum of Dufferin

Site of Leighton's Mill east of Wellington

Street during the flood of 1890

Meetings, minutes and agendas

Once appointments are made, view the committee calendar for upcoming meetings and agendas as well as past meeting minutes. Heritage Orangeville meets monthly or as required.

Request to Present

If you wish to make a presentation to the Committee, you may submit your request online. A printable version of the form is also available through the link below.

Request to Present to an Advisory Committee

Join Heritage Orangeville

Learn how to join Heritage Orangeville.

Mandate

In order to recognize, protect and enhance the Town’s architectural, cultural and historical heritage resources, Heritage Orangeville provides advice and recommendations to Council on:

  • matters relating to the identification or designation of properties of cultural heritage value or interest as well as the designation of heritage conservation districts pursuant to the Ontario Heritage Act;
  • promoting awareness, education, stewardship and conservation of Orangeville’s heritage;
  • establishing partnerships with heritage groups and organizations; and
  • promoting excellence and recognition in the heritage community.

The Committee may also direct or monitor working groups, comprised of current committee members, participating in specific projects or initiatives, e.g. Facade Improvement Working Group. Any working groups will be established by resolution of the committee and the working group will report back to the committee at the next regular Heritage Orangeville meeting.

Goals and objectives

Heritage Orangeville will accomplish its mandate by:

Fulfilling its statutory role pursuant to Section 28 the Ontario Heritage Act to advise and assist Council on all matters relating to:

  • the designation of individual properties (Part IV) or heritage conservation districts (Part V);
  • Applications to alter, erect, demolish or remove any buildings or structures on designated properties or within designated areas;
  • Applications to repeal by-laws which designate individual properties as heritage properties;
  • Recommendations to enter into heritage conservation easement agreements or covenants; and
  • any other heritage matters as Council may deem appropriate by by-law;

Researching, evaluating and identifying properties and areas that may deserve protection by maintaining an inventory of listed properties of cultural heritage value or interest;

Providing advice with respect to development applications, demolition applications and capital projects as appropriate, with respect to their potential for direct or indirect impacts on the Town’s heritage features and attributes;

Providing advice and recommendations as to how the conservation of heritage features may be achieved through the adoption and implementation of Official Plan policies pursuant to the Planning Act;

Providing advice and recommendations with respect to Town policies, regulations and guidelines as appropriate, pertaining to recognition, protection and enhancement of cultural heritage resources;

Conducting community recognition programs for architectural preservation through commemorative initiatives such as plaguing, awards for restoration and sympathetic infill development;

Conducting education programs and initiatives for property owners with respect to appropriate conservation, maintenance and restoration practices, including the making of sympathetic improvements to enhance the Town’s heritage character and vibrancy;

Conducting community engagement and awareness programs for Orangeville’s heritage through publications, events, public speaking, displays, signage and plaques;

Monitoring and providing advice with respect to federal and provincial government directives and funding initiatives on heritage-related matters; and

Liaising between Town and the Dufferin County Museum and Archives and other heritage organizations, as desirable to implement the objectives and mandate of Heritage Orangeville.

Committee Composition and Skills

The Committee shall consist of up to seven members composed of:

  • 1 Council member
  • Up to 5 members of the public
  • 1 representative from the Orangeville Business Improvement Area

Skills Requested

Preference may be given to candidates who demonstrate:

  • an interest in the complexities, benefits and challenges of heritage preservation, both generally and within the context of the Town of Orangeville; and
  • have a special interest or knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

a. conducting research with respect to heritage and historical matters

b. architecture and urban design

c. restoration, conservation, construction practices related to heritage resources

d. local history, genealogy

e. historical public outreach and education

f. planning, land development and geography

Terms of Reference

Heritage Orangeville