Town of Perth, Ontario to receive The Prince of Wales Prize
Heritage Canada Foundation Press Release
OTTAWA, ON August 3, 2004 - On the fifth anniversary of the awarding of the prestigious Prince of Wales Prize, the Heritage Canada Foundation is proud to announce its 2004 recipient, the Town of Perth, Ontario. Established in 1999 under the patronage of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, this prize honours a municipal government for exemplary commitment to the preservation of its built heritage. Previous recipients include Markham, Ontario, Victoria, British Columbia, Saint John, New Brunswick and Québec City.
Recognized for its picturesque beauty, Perth, Ontario has, for thirty years, worked diligently to enhance the significance of its historic stone architecture and natural surroundings. Consisting of 19th-century mills and factories along the Tay River, Victorian storefronts and grand homes, these buildings reflect the town's rich history, as well as the legacy of the Scottish stone masons who built them. Settled in the early 1800s, Perth was the first planned community in what would later become Ontario, and today, the preservation of that original layout, as well as that of its buildings, adds to its unique charm as one of Eastern Ontario's most popular tourist destinations.
The Heritage Canada Awards Jury also cited the presence of Algonquin College's Heritage Institute which has been teaching heritage carpentry and masonry in Perth since 1989. The jury praised the various restoration projects undertaken by the students and added that their work and dedication has further strengthened the town's commitment to conservation. By promoting their skills, these students have truly left an indelible mark on the community and the surrounding region. Examples of these projects include the restoration of an 1850 timber-frame agricultural hall in Almonte, Ontario, and the restoration of the stone wall at the Inge-Va House, a provincial heritage site, in Perth.
The Prince of Wales Prize, which consists of a plaque, framed scroll and a pennant with the insignia of The Prince of Wales and the Heritage Canada Foundation, will be presented to the Town of Perth at a special ceremony on Friday, September 10, 2004 at the Imperial Theatre in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Back to Archives
|
