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Architectural Conservancy Ontario Port Hope

Architectural Conservancy of Ontario – Port Hope

Welcome to ACO Port Hope. We aim to inspire passion for the conservation of Port Hope’s architectural, historic, and natural heritage.

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  • HomeWelcome to the Port Hope Chapter of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario.
  • About UsDiscover who the ACO is and what we do as part of the community of Port Hope.
    • Our Board
    • Advocacy
    • Our History
    • ACO Projects & Grants
    • Heritage Designation & Listing
    • ACO Port Hope Heritage Awards
  • Get InvolvedLearn about the many ways you can contribute to the efforts of the Architectural Conservancy.
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  • For MembersManage your membership and access information about events and news.
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    • Minutes
  • Tours & ShopFundraising projects in Port Hope that support the Conservancy.
    • Book: Sixty Reasons to Celebrate 1964-2024
    • The Port Hope ACO Heritage Colouring Book
    • Pewter Ornaments

Homes of Port Hope

Port Hope is known for its beautiful heritage homes and gardens. The ACO supports the maintenance and restoration of heritage home exteriors via grants made from donations. We welcome visitors to explore our neighbourhoods and tree-lined streets.

Become a Member

Help preserve Port Hope’s rich legacy of architectural treasures by becoming a member of ACO. Your membership affiliates you with the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario which raises funds for restoration, preservation and conservation within the urban and rural landscapes of Port Hope. We look forward to growing with you. Memberships…Continue reading “Become a Member”

6Apr 202627 Apr 2026

Historic Walking Tours 2026: Schedule & Tickets

Select Saturdays • 11 am – 12:30 pm $20 plus Fees | Rain or Shine Join us for our 2026…

8Jun 20254 Jun 2026
Alice King Sculthorpe

ACO Port Hope Luminaries: A.K. Sculthorpe

by Tom Cruickshank, first published in the June 2025 issue of ACO Matters There are many tireless volunteers who champion…

16Dec 202429 Sep 2025

Book: Sixty Reasons to Celebrate 1964-2024

The ACO Port Hope’s 60th Anniversary book, “Sixty Reasons to Celebrate – 1964 – 2024”, by Susan Carmichael and Phil…

Our Mission

“Through education & advocacy, to encourage the conservation & reuse of structures, districts & landscapes of architectural, historic & cultural significance, to inspire & benefit Ontarians.”

ACO Port Hope

Advocacy…

The Port Hope Waterfront & Riverwalk Master Plan

1 Apr 202213 Sep 2022
By Bruce Bowden The theme of the ACO Port Hope 2022 Annual Meeting was Waterfront Renewal. Our guest speaker, John Hillier, gave an inspiring presentation on the subject, and we…
Advocacy…

The Port Hope Heritage Listing Project Update

30 Mar 202219 Apr 2022
By Bruce Bowden In April, 2019, Susan Layard, co-chair of the ACO Port Hope Advocacy Committee, was invited to serve on a sub-committee of Heritage Port Hope, created to work…
Advocacy…

Ravenscourt

1 Feb 202219 Apr 2022
By Bruce Bowden Ravenscourt is an interesting and large house with modest-sized rooms, original stencilled hall panelling, two rooms with decorative plaster ceilings, and a lovely wrap-around porch.  It is…
Community…

Volunteer

1 Jan 202230 Jan 2025
By volunteering, you can enjoy the company of like-minded residents interested in architectural conservancy. Throughout the year, we have events and fundraisers that you can assist with. To become a…
Architecture…

Glossary of Terms

1 Jan 20227 Jun 2022
Bargeboard - decorated board on a gable edge or eaves line. Bracket - angular support at eaves, doorways, and sills. Buttress - mass of masonry or brickwork adding stability to…
Community

Helpful Links

1 Jan 20227 Jun 2022
Architectural Conservancy OntarioACO AwardsPort Hope HistoryPort Hope PlanningPort Hope Heritage FoundationPort Hope House TourPort Hope TourismSt. Mark’s Heritage FoundationHeritage Port HopePort Hope ArchivesPort Hope Public Library: Local HistoryOntario Heritage Trust
Advocacy…

Rose Cottage Restoration

1 Dec 20216 Jun 2022
By Bruce Bowden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6dExaaN-os A small frame white-stucco’d cottage with eyebrow windows built at the back entrance to the Penryn King Estate for Mary Rose who immigrated from Ireland to…
Advocacy…

Port Hope Centre Pier Industrial Buildings, c. 1910

8 Nov 202123 May 2022
Erected c. 1910 by the Port Hope Sanitary Manufacturing Company, extended c. 1930. Acquired in 1932 by Eldorado Gold Mines (Cameco after 1988).  “The Central Pier and Buildings 41 and…
Events…

Bill & Marnie Introduce the 2021 Port Hope House Tour

8 Oct 202130 Sep 2022
The Port Hope House Tour Co-Chairs help you navigate this event during Covid, as the program switches to a virtual format. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie5ehs54Ago
Advocacy…

King’s Field Oak Trees

7 Oct 202123 May 2022
ACO Port Hope requested Council revise a 169 home sub-division development plan by Aecon and Mason Homes that directly threatened two old-growth oak trees. While most other trees of the…
Advocacy…

The Gillett Paterson Block, 1845

7 Oct 202123 May 2022
Hiram Gillett built this three-storey block on land purchased from Robert N. Waddell in 1844. In 1876, Gillett sold the block to Stanley Paterson, Secretary and Treasurer for the Midland…
Architecture…

Port Hope Historic Barn Quilt Trail

4 Jun 202114 Aug 2022
About the Trail Each barn has its own identity. The unique history, ongoing story and continuing cultural contribution is beautifully narrated by hand painted board tiles with traditional quilt borders.…
Advocacy…

Walton Street Reconstruction

1 Jun 20218 Nov 2022
By Bruce Bowden The Walton Street Reconstruction Working Group met several times in May, and a letter was sent to the Municipality.  The Working Group believes that the Walton Street…
Advocacy…

The Penryn King Estate

31 May 202130 May 2022
ACO Port Hope has been advocating for the protection of the heritage properties of Penryn since the Mason Homes’ development plans for the nearby area were first made public in…
History…

The Little Station

23 May 202123 May 2022
The Port Hope Branch owns The Little Station, one of the first railway stations in the Municipality of Port Hope, and leases and operates the Union Cemetery Chapel and Caretaker’s…
Advocacy…

An Eight-sided House for Health & Happiness: The Octagon In Context

1 Dec 202027 Mar 2022
Originally published in ACO Matters December 2020 By Jackie Tinson Fowler was a theology student in Amherst, N.Y. until phrenology caught his attention. He gave up a career in the church…
Advocacy…

Port Hope’s Opera House – Sold

30 Nov 20208 Nov 2022
By Bruce Bowden The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) mandate is to encourage the conservation and reuse of structures, districts and landscapes of architectural, historic and cultural significance. In that…
ACO Matters…

Penryn Park: Even More Significant than We Realized

1 Sep 20207 Apr 2022
ACO Matters September 2020 By Susan Layard We have known for quite some time that there are three buildings at Penryn Park that have been designated for their heritage importance.…

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60th Anniversary ACO Auction Affordable Housing Antiques Bill 23 Bluestone Books Conservation Craftsmanship Education Featured File Factory Friends of the Library Friends of Wesleyville Ganaraska River Garden Tour Grants Heritage Designation Historic Port Hope Hospital Holiday House Tour Lectures Letters to Mayor Listing Project Little Station Music Hall Penryn Petitions Photo Galleries Policies President’s Message Resources Restoration Retirement Rose Cottage Save Our Trees Shared Stories Summer Social Sylvan Glen Town Planning Videos Volunteer Walking Tours Walton Street Waterfront/Riverwalk

ACO Port Hope

PO Box 563
Port Hope, ON L1A 3Z4

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