It wasn’t by fluke. And it wasn’t by chance.
According to Heritage Thorold chair Craig Finlay, there are distinct reasons the Prince of Wales himself deigned to crown Thorold recipient of the Prize for Leadership in Heritage Preservation that’s named after him.
In his written words, the future king said, “I applaud the city of Thorold for its efforts, that may inspire others throughout Canada to recognize the power that heritage has to revitalize and transform communities.”
Finlay and then city council representative for Heritage Thorold Michael Charron attended the prize presentation ceremony in Ottawa in October, 2017. This past week, purple and gold heritage flags were installed on Front Street, proudly proclaiming the city’s prize.
Prior to capturing the title, said Finlay, Thorold was sometimes better known for heritage outside the city than within it.
Here are his top 10 reasons that have fuelled Thorold’s success.
Reason #1: A preserved built heritage.
While Thorold has lost its once flourishing paper trade--which defined it as an industrial town in the past--it has managed to maintain a significant number of heritage buildings within a few blocks—the area that’s bounded by Lynden Street to Regent Street, and Ormond Street to the canal, boasts 60-plus homes built before 1890.
Reason #2: Ongoing shared passion for heritage preservation.
As a member of Thorold’s first LACAC (local architectural advisory committee), Finlay said “The group focused on formal designation as the best way to show that we were effecting change, and so, designate we did.”
Thorold now boasts more than 50 designated properties, with more to come.
Reason #3: Pamela Minns.
Thorold has had a passionate voice in Pam Minns; a tireless volunteer who—according to Finlay—“gave 30 years of her life to heritage, and never missed a single meeting” during that entire time.
“Pam sent countless emails and press releases for years. Her heritage contacts reached to the provincial and national levels, and every minister of heritage and culture received her correspondence.”
Reason #4: Continuity of membership, leadership, and shared vision.
“The spirit of this vision,” said Finlay, “is in our mission statement: Heritage Thorold LACAC is committed to the identification and preservation of buildings, structures, and lands that are of cultural and/or historic value or interest, and to initiating and promoting a conservation ethic and climate of responsible stewardship of the community’s cultural heritage assets.”
Reason #5: Building relationships.
Relationship building between LACAC and heritage home owners, business owners, developers, politicians and city staff around heritage preservation is “not a nicety; it’s a necessity,” noted Finlay.
“Having no authority, we work from an influence perspective, which is based on trust and reputation to bring desired changes. We make at least two visits to speak with the owners of a perspective designated building. We make it as clear as we can that the primary reason for designation is the satisfaction of providing stewardship for the next generation.”
“It’s amazing the number of people coming from Toronto” in search of older dwellings, he added. “Thorold is becoming a hot spot for heritage homes.”
Finlay finds it “the fun part of the job,” helping heritage home owners, like himself. “We serve as a resource and help them source period doors,” and other building components.
Reason #6: Encouraging that business can thrive by embracing heritage.
Henderson’s Pharmacy, the Quebec Bank and the Post Office are prime examples of how heritage helps boost business, said Finlay.
After purchasing the Old Firehall for her first shop in 2011, then moving her thriving retail business to the former Thorold Post Office, Shannon and Michael Passero have won regional, provincial and national awards for their adaptive reuse of heritage structures, “and are huge Thorold boosters,” noted Finlay.
Reason #7: The city’s downtown business grant program.
“The city gives grants of up to $12,000 that merchants can apply for” as an incentive to make façade improvements, said Finlay. “This program has been well-used and is a tangible indication of the municipal government’s support of heritage protection.”
Reason #8: Marketing.
The committee’s plan “to keep publicizing what was happening,” in terms of heritage, has paid off.
Encouraging attendance at events and showcasing designations, maintaining an active website, as well as Minn’s constant news releases—sent to heritage publications, provincial organizations, and the National Trust—kept Thorold activities in the forefront.
When the Ontario Heritage Conference was held in Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2015, one of the keynote speakers was Thorold planner Adele Arbour, who described the downtown façade program. Finlay and Tom Russell conducted a walking tour of the downtown for conference delegates. On two occasions, National Trust members were invited to visit Thorold and saw the progress being made in the city.
Reason #9: A willingness to try new approaches.
The committee has produced a cook book of traditional Italian dishes, post cards of heritage sites, heritage tour brochures, and placed history plaques on stainless steel poles in front of designated buildings, sites, and other places of interest. These are well-read by locals and tourists, said Finlay.
Over a three-year period, the committee’s budget funded the completion of historical rehabilitative designs for buildings on Front Street, which were made available, free of charge, to building owners.
Heritage Thorold also provided seed money to complete the first printing of Where Beavers Built Their Dams, authored by researcher Sarah King Head, which won a provincial award for heritage writing, and has been applauded by the Ontario Historical Society.
Recently, application has been made to the Federal Ministry for designation of the Decew House property as a National Historic Site.
Reason #10: A growing body of concerned citizens.
Beaverdams Church, which has been embraced in recent years by a passionate fundraising committee—called the Friends of Beaverdams—has also piqued public interest, said Finlay, and it’s supported by Heritage Thorold.
“Its resurrection is symbolic of the growing concern and interest in saving significant markers of our past, and an important example of what a relatively small group of determined citizens can accomplish.”
For more information, visit http://www.heritagethorold.com and https://friendsofbeaverdamschurch.com.
