Canada’s historic sites were once a Victorian gentlemen’s club for commemorating great men

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Canada’s National Historic Sites program began as a way to mark the nation’s history through the lens of military triumphs and political figures. Over the last century, however, the program has evolved from a commemorative plaque-placing exercise into a complex effort to preserve diverse cultural, social, and architectural heritage.

The program traces its origins to the early 20th century, spurred by a desire to preserve national history. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada was established in 1919 to advise the government on designations. In its early decades, the Board was dominated by self-taught scholars who focused on military history, the fur trade, and prominent men. This era favored sites in Ontario, often promoting a loyalist perspective that emphasized imperial unity while ignoring the histories of marginalized groups, including Aboriginal peoples, women, and various ethnic communities.

By the mid-20th century, the program began to shift. In 1943, interim chairman Frederic William Howay advocated for a broader thematic scope, and a 1951 federal inquiry into national development further criticized the existing geographic and thematic imbalances. Legislative changes in 1955 allowed for the designation of buildings based on their architectural merit, moving the focus toward built heritage. The 1960s saw significant federal investment in large-scale restoration projects, such as the Fortress of Louisbourg and the Halifax Citadel.

The 1970s marked a definitive turn toward inclusivity. New designations began to reflect federal politics and social history rather than just military events. Efforts to represent underrepresented groups intensified, leading to milestones like the 1997 designation of Saoyú-ʔehdacho in the Northwest Territories, which was the first site acquired through direct consultation with Aboriginal peoples. Today, the program organizes sites under five broad themes, including intellectual life and economic development, though it is important to note that a federal designation itself provides no inherent legal protection for a site's physical elements.

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