Heritage Events

Heritage Hunt

The Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (PACAC) launches an annual Heritage Hunt contest inviting residents to test their knowledge of Peterborough’s architectural heritage for the chance to win great local prizes.

The contest involves identifying architectural details on buildings in a defined area of the city. All details are visible from the sidewalk and both sides of the street are in play.

The 2024 Hunt was held from October 23 to November 29. Follow the City’s Heritage Preservation Office on Facebook (HeritagePTBO) and Instagram (@heritageptbo) for information about next year's event. An announcement will be posted when all winners have been contacted. Answers will also be posted soon with a fun fact about the buildings, so stay tuned and thanks again for participating!

Doors Open Peterborough

Every year in September, buildings and sites not normally open to the public welcome visitors as part of Doors Open Peterborough. Peterborough’s event is part of Doors Open Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Heritage Trust, and is a great opportunity for community engagement and education about our built and cultural heritage.

For an interactive map and list of sites and guided tours, please visit peterborough.ca/DOP2024.

For the latest on Doors Open, follow the City’s Heritage Preservation Office on Facebook (HeritagePTBO) and Instagram (@heritageptbo), or visit the Doors Open Peterborough website, doorsopenontario.on.ca.

The Doors Open program originated in France in 1984 and since 2002, this annual celebration of heritage and culture has allowed us to see inside everything from the Peterborough Lift Lock, City hydro generating stations, Victorian mansions and modern architectural gems such as Trent University.

We also offer guided tours highlighting the city’s historical, architectural, and social history.

Peterborough is a small city, but its heritage is rich, its community is vibrant, and its neighbourhoods are diverse. Doors Open Peterborough is always looking for new places that tell Peterborough’s stories through the sites and voices of the community.

House History Workshop

The House History Workshop features an overview of helpful tools, resources, and strategies for researching the history of your house – whether it is a rental, your family home, or even just a house you’ve always walked past and wanted to learn more about. At the workshop, you’ll learn about what heritage is and how it relates to the world around us. You’ll also learn how to use local resources to find the information you’re looking for. Friendly experts from local and county libraries, archives, and museums will be on hand to discuss what’s in their collections and how to access them.

The skills and resources you’ll learn about at the House History Workshop will be incredibly useful to anyone interested in history, architecture, archaeology, arts and culture, environment and nature, Indigenous Studies, and urban planning and development. Whether you’re starting your first year at Trent or enjoying retirement, now is the time to start exploring your community’s history! 

This workshop is free. Stay tuned for information about upcoming workshops.