About the Heritage Awards
Every year, the City of Wrenford celebrates outstanding work that protects and shares our local history. The Heritage Awards programme recognises property owners, contractors, and community members who keep our built heritage alive. These awards are presented by Council and highlight projects that meet high conservation standards.
Award categories
- Heritage Conservation: For the restoration, rehabilitation, or careful maintenance of historic buildings, structures, or cultural landscapes. This includes seismic upgrades and sustainability improvements.
- Living Heritage: For projects that highlight the self-expressed heritage of Wrenford communities, support reconciliation, or safeguard cultural traditions and placemaking.
- Education and Awareness: For publications, exhibits, walking tours, or digital projects that promote tangible or intangible heritage and celebrate diverse local histories.
2025 Award recipients
The 2025 jury selected the following projects for their commitment to stewardship and community engagement.
Heritage Conservation
- Old Mill Museum & Archives restoration: Led by Gwen Lachance, Heritage & Archives Coordinator, this project stabilised the 1834 grist mill and upgraded the reading room climate control while preserving original timber beams.
- Benchlands Lookout Park pavilion: A joint effort by James Whitford, Roads Superintendent, and a local contractor team, this work repaired the historic storm shelter and restored the original stone foundation.
Living Heritage
- Tamsin River Tales Walking Tour: Created by Isabel Moreno, Economic Development Manager, and a team of local volunteers, this self-guided tour uses augmented reality to share stories of the river's early mill workers.
- Mill Street Memories Archive: A community-led photo and oral history collection curated by Elena Petrova, Senior Planner, capturing the evolution of the downtown core since 1950.
Education and Awareness
- Heritage Building Guide for Homeowners: Produced by the Planning & Development team and reviewed by Wendy Szabo, Chief Building Official, this bilingual booklet explains permitted changes and grant opportunities for inventory properties.
- Centennial Gardens Seasonal History Displays: Coordinated by Rosa Castellano, Events Coordinator, these rotating exhibits highlight the garden's wartime flower beds and post-war redesign.
What makes a winning project?
Winners are chosen based on craftsmanship, historical accuracy, and the positive impact on the neighbourhood. To be eligible, a project must comply with the the Zoning by-law and follow the the Building Permits process. The City does not provide prize money, but winners receive a City certificate and public recognition at the annual Council meeting. Projects that demonstrate creative reuse of historic materials or improve accessibility while preserving character often score highly.
How the selection works
A local jury reviews every entry during the spring. The panel includes heritage consultants, architects, and community representatives who evaluate submissions against conservation standards. Shortlisted projects are featured in a digital gallery before the final winners are announced at a spring Council meeting. All nominees receive a thank-you letter and a copy of the annual heritage report.
How to nominate a project
Residents and organisations can submit nominations for the next awards cycle. Nominations are accepted between November 1 and February 28 each year. You can submit your entry online through the the online submission form or drop off a printed copy at Room 206, Wrenford City Hall.
Each nomination must include a completed application form, high-resolution photographs, a brief project description, and proof of any required permits. The Heritage Development Board reviews all entries and selects winners based on craftsmanship, community impact, and adherence to conservation best practices.
Contact information
If you have questions about the awards or need help preparing a nomination, contact the Arts & Heritage team at [email protected]. You can also visit the the Heritage properties page to learn more about designated and inventory listings in Wrenford.