Heritage and Culture | Township of Leeds & the Thousand Islands

Land Acknowledgement Statement

With gratitude, the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands acknowledges these lands and waters are the traditional territory of the Algonquin, Mississaugas, Mohawk (Kanyen’keha:ka), and Huron-Wendat. To recognize the role the Township must play in Truth and Reconciliation, we also acknowledge the displacement of these Peoples.
Additionally, the Township would like to respectfully acknowledge the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples who also call this place home. We make this land acknowledgement to honour the Indigenous ancestors who have stewarded these lands and waters since time immemorial.

Side view of a stone two story house with oblong windows and a red roof — Springfield House

Heritage

The Ontario Heritage Act enables municipalities within Ontario to protect properties of cultural heritage value or interest. The Township has a rich history of built heritage that is captured in our Municipal Heritage Properties Register. The Register is a publicly accessible document of properties that are of recognized or potential cultural heritage value or interest. The Register is an important resource used by the public and Township staff to identify the cultural heritage status of properties in the Township.

The Register includes the following types of municipal, provincial, federal, and international heritage protection:

81 properties with ‘listed’ cultural heritage status (Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act);
17 properties designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act;
1 site designated by ICOMOS as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, National Historic Site and Canadian Heritage River;
3 properties with Provincial Significance;
2 property with a Provincial Easement;
2 properties containing a recognized Federal Heritage Building; and
1 property with Provincial Significance and designated as a National Historic Site

The Municipal Heritage Properties Register is provided by the Township for information purposes only. The Township endeavours to keep the Register current, accurate, and complete; however, the Township reserves the right to change or modify the Register and information contained within the Register at any time without notice.

For information on a property’s cultural heritage status, please contact the Township’s Planning and Development Department (613-659-2415 [Toll Free: 1-866-220-2327] or email staff.

Heritage Celebration and Conservation Grant

Heritage Designation

Recognizes the importance of a property to the local community
Protects the property's cultural heritage value
Encourages good stewardship and conservation
Promotes knowledge and understanding about the property

Designation under the Ontario Heritage Act applies to real property, and helps to recognize and protect the heritage attributes on that property.

Property designation is not limited to single buildings or structures but can include groups of buildings, manufactured components, cemeteries, natural heritage features, cultural heritage landscapes or landscape features.

Designation not only publicly recognizes and promotes awareness of these properties. It also provides a process for ensuring that proposed changes are appropriately managed and that these changes respect the property’s cultural heritage value or interest. This includes protection from demolition.

Do you think your property has cultural and/or historic value? To designate under the Heritage Act contact the Planning and Development Department 613-659-2415 ext. 203.

Heritage

We celebrate and embrace our heritage! Our Municipal Heritage Committee would love to hear from you if you would like to donate to our collection or to request the addition of your property to our registry.

Donations

If you have items of historical interest such as photos, diaries, train schedules, menus, advertisements, or any other items that can help tell our story, please consider donating them to the archives or local historical society.

Resources

Canadian Heritage
The National Trust
Canada's Historic Places
Parks Canada's National Historic Site Cost-Sharing Program
Government of Canada's Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada
Ontario Heritage Trust
Ontario Heritage Act
Ontario Historical Society
Ontario Heritage Tool Kit
Lakes and Islands Times Past

Historic Facts about Leeds and the Thousand Islands

Thanks to support from the National Trust, the Township celebrated Canada150 moments by recognizing our local culture and heritage as well as important landscapes, people and historic events.

365 Historical Facts - January edition
365 Historical Facts - February edition
365 Historical Facts - March edition
365 Historical Facts - April edition
365 Historical Facts - May edition
365 Historical Facts - June edition
365 Historical Facts - July edition
365 Historical Facts - August edition
365 Historical Facts - September edition
365 Historical Facts - October edition
365 Historical Facts - November edition
365 Historical Facts - December edition

Archives and Genealogy

The Leeds and the Thousand Islands Archives in Escott, Ontario is where your search begins. A large collection of items stemming from 1796 provides a peek into the rich history of the people of the Thousand Islands. Additional resources on genealogy, cultural and heritage events and resources are right here at your fingertips.

Resources

Ancestry.ca

Canadian Directive on Recordkeeping

Government of Canada Ancestors Search

Library and Archives Canada

Ontario Genealogical Society

Museums

The rich history of the Thousand Islands is beautifully portrayed and on exhibit in local museums. Do you have your own artifacts or memorabilia to donate? Consider donating to our archives or the local historical society.

View on Google Maps

Local

Springfield House Museum - Closed for renovations
1365 County Rd. 2, Mallorytown, ON K0E 1R0
Phone: 613-659-3800

Brockville

Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing
6 Broad St., Brockville, ON K6V 4T7
Phone: 613-342-6789

Brockville Museum
5 Henry St., Brockville, ON K6V 6M4
Phone: 613-342-4397

Fulford Place
287 King St. E., Brockville, ON K6V 1E1
Phone: 613-498-3003

Gananoque

1000 Islands Boat Museum
125 Water St., Gananoque, ON K7G 3E3
Phone: 613-382-8484

1000 Islands History Museum
125 Water St., Gananoque, ON K7G 3E3
Phone: 613-382-2535

Kingston

Kingston is host to a variety of museums including the Frontenac County Schools Museum, Military Communications and Electronics Museum, MacLachlan Woodworking Museum, Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada and more!

Visit Kingston Association of Museums Art Galleries and Historic Sites for details.