CENTRE WELLINGTON - As a way of prioritizing cultural heritage for the township, Centre Wellington council has unanimously supported 18 significant cultural heritage landscapes.
They were identified in the Cultural Heritage Landscape (CHL) study and inventory to be formally included in the Official Plan amendment.
At Monday’s meeting, council unanimously supported extending a contract with Archaeological Services Inc. to complete the Official Plan amendment to formally recognize the 18 significant cultural heritage landscapes identified in the CHL study and inventory.
In June 2021, council endorsed the CHL study and inventory, which evaluated, identified, and mapped 18 cultural heritage landscapes considered significant in the township.
Council approved the continuation of the project and asked planning staff to prepare an implementation framework for the report recommendations, which includes:
- The Official Plan amendment recognizing the 18 significant CHLs through policy and mapping
- Individual technical studies for specific CHLs
- Public education and promotion strategy for specific CHLs
- Pierpoint additional research
Pierpoint is recognized as the earliest known settlement within the former townships and is associated with the early Black Canadian community, which demonstrates the area’s cultural heritage value.
However, physical evidence of the settlement has not yet been found, and as such, Pierpoint has not been classified as a CHL at this time.
Due to this, ASI has been retained to complete additional research to further understand Pierpoint’s history, location, and significance and to determine appropriate protection, interpretation, and commemoration strategies to recognize and broaden awareness of Pierpoint’s history.
The Official Plan amendment is considered the first and top priority to officially recognize the 18 CHLs. The goal is to establish general policies for these CHLs as an interim measure until more detailed heritage management and protection work can be completed.
“This is an important project that recognizes our community’s rich heritage, including exploring and promoting the pre-confederation Pierpoint Black settlement,” said Mayor Kelly Linton in a media release.
“Centre Wellington has a unique history, and the cultural heritage landscape inventory has outlined key areas that hold value, retain historical integrity and have distinct community value. I look forward to the continued work that ASI, the heritage committee and our staff will undertake to complete the implementation framework of this important study.”
