Five local building owners/restorers receive heritage awards for preserving local historic buildings

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Heritage Centre Wellington   handed out five heritage awards on Feb. 10 to honour and celebrate the efforts of property owners, professionals and tradespeople who  preserve historic buildings.

The Heritage Property Conservation Award went to Paul De Leonardis and Erin Longworth, owners of the home at 139 Garafraxa St. E. in Fergus.

The pair was lauded for maintaining the historic character of the home, including recent repair of the decorative woodwork, ornamentation and wood soffits, which are heritage attributes of the home.

The Making Heritage Accessible Award went to the Elora Centre for the Arts, which recently completed a 3,500-square-foot expansion to the historic schoolhouse built in 1856. The addition allows the building to be fully accessible and integrate seamlessly into the existing space, officials say.

The Heritage Professionals Award went to Edward Thomas, president of SRM Architects and Urban Designers. Thomas has been involved in numerous renovation and expansion projects, but most recently in the design of the Elora Centre for the Arts addition, the St. John’s Church addition, and an addition to his own home in Fergus, which was recently designated as a heritage property.

The Heritage Preservation Award went to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on George Street West in Fergus. This award is to recognize the extensive and ongoing preservation efforts in protecting an important heritage resource for future generations, including the grounds and iconic cemetery, officials say.

The Heritage Conservation Award went to Steven Wright, founder of Wrighthaven Homes Limited, for work at the James McQueen House, also called Cherry Hill, at 15 Tobe Terr. The dwelling was historically home to the community’s first teacher and school namesake, James McQueen. The award recognizes the efforts of Wrighthaven Homes for restoration of the dwelling and its incorporation into the development of the surrounding residential subdivision.

Applications are now open for the township’s Community Heritage Grant Program, which is designed to assist designated property owners in heritage conservation efforts by providing financial assistance, under certain terms and conditions. 

Designated property owners may qualify for up to $10,000 in matching grants.

For more information and to fill out an application visit centrewellington.ca/heritage.

Applications are due by March 31 to be considered for a grant in 2026.