When you think about Port Hope you probably think about the lush countryside, the quaint boutique and the inviting B&Bs, but you may not think about the architecture. Well, you should! Port Hope is unique because as other towns were tearing down the old to make room for the new, the residents of this town were quick to recognize the value of their architectural legacy. Port Hope residents have worked to conserve, restore, or renovate commercial blocks and private homes, making the town a tourist destination and a landmark of Ontario preservation. Like a time capsule, Port Hope captures the flavour of small town Ontario in the late 1800s.
The legacy continues
The restoration of homes continues today with financial support from the Architectural Conservatory of Ontario (ACO), Port Hope Branch. The mission of the ACO is to help preserve building and structures of architectural merit and to protect places of natural beauty. Thanks to the work of dedicated members and volunteers, Port Hope can now lay claim to one of the finest collections of historically significant homes and buildings in all of Canada.
Walk the walk
From Neolithic to Georgian, there’s a wide variety of architectural styles and design to enjoy as you stroll the streets of Port Hope. You are free to wander the streets and take in the sites on your own or you can join in the first Saturday before Thanksgiving when the ACO hosts a tour of some of the most important homes in the town. Since its inauguration in 1964, this annual event has been anxiously awaited each year by locals and visitors alike. For more information on the ACO and the house tour, visit them at www.acoporthope.ca.
For more information on everything Port Hope has to offer visit their website at www.porthopetourism.ca.
