The Architectural
Conservancy of Ontario
Port Hope Branch

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The Port Hope Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario is one of the largest and most active branches in the province.

The mission of the A.C.O is to help preserve buildings and structures of architectural merit and to protect places of natural beauty. The Board of Directors of our local branch have worked hard to follow this mission, led by the example of many dedicated volunteers who have gone before us. Because of the work of our local branch, Port Hope can now boast one of the finest inventories of historically important homes and buildings in the country.

In 2002 the Municipality of Port Hope was awarded the prestigious honour of possessing the finest heritage mainstreetscape in Ontario. Through the foresight of those who worked diligently for architectural preservation in the 1950's and 60's, their hardwork is now paying huge dividends for those many local businesses, catering to an economically important tourist trade. Hundreds of visits are paid to our wonderful town every year as visitors stroll our many historic streets and laneways, marvel at our heritage architecture and partake of some much needed quiet enjoyment.

Every year this active branch of volunteers raises and then donates tens of thousands of dollars for the cause of historical architectural preservation. In the first month of January 2003, alone, 15 thousand dollars was awarded to two local churches to perform much needed restorative work to their buildings. Our association also looks after the cost of maintaining the still active C.N. train station, a local, turn of the century stone building in the heart of the community. We administer the "A.K. Sculthorpe Heritage Trades Scholarship Fund" set up to invest in the future of our heritage in Northumberland County by offering scholarships to local residents enrolling in the Algonquin College Heritage Institute. As well, the Port Hope A.C.O. Heritage Fund actively solicits heritage restoration projects to finance, offering attractive financial terms and grants for qualifying projects.

The Board of Directors of the Port Hope Branch of the A.C.O. meet the first Thursday of every month. If you or your delegation would like to be put on our agenda please contact President Phil Carter at 905-885-7929. Our branch publishes "A.C.O. Matters", a branch newsletter 4 times per year. If you have announcements, comments or opinions you would like published or if you would like to advertise your business or service, contact the Editor.