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.

Member Notice

Membership in ACO Port Hope is currently under review since ACO Inc. has announced that the current branch structure will be discontinued by October 31, 2026. We expect to provide additional Information in the coming weeks.Continue reading “Member Notice”

28Sep 202629 Sep 2026

The 2026 Municipal Election: Answers from the Mayoral Candidates

ACO Port Hope asked heritage-related questions to Port Hope’s Municipal Electoral Candidates. Responses are posted with permission and are presented…

28Sep 202629 Sep 2026

The 2026 Municipal Election: Answers from Ward 1

ACO Port Hope asked heritage-related questions to Port Hope’s Municipal Electoral Candidates. Responses are posted with permission and are presented…

28Sep 202629 Sep 2026

The 2026 Municipal Election: Answers from Ward 2

ACO Port Hope asked heritage-related questions to Port Hope’s Municipal Electoral Candidates. Responses are posted with permission and are presented…

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

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

Save Our Trees

9 Mar 202014 Aug 2022

By Bruce Bowden Public Town Meeting: March 10, 2020 In preparation for the special meeting of Council tomorrow evening, March 10th, at 6:30 pm (Doors open at 6 PM) at…

ACO Port Hope Annual Meeting: 2020

14 Feb 20204 Apr 2022

Thursday, February 20, 2020Doors Open 7 pm / Meeting Begins 7:30 pmSt John’s Church, Community Hall One order of business will be to vote for next year’s Executive. The Slate…

RBC Donates Opera House To ACO Port Hope

30 Oct 20198 Nov 2022

RBC Helps Promote Heritage Conservation through Donation to Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO). Inaugural performance at the St. Lawrence Music Hall, later to be known as the Opera House, at…

A Bit Of Queen’s History In Port Hope

24 Jul 201911 Jul 2023

By Lynn BrownOriginally published in the QUEEN’S ALUMNI REVIEW • SPRING 2004. Posted with permission from the author. After my May 1969 graduation as a civil engineer, my wife Lois…

The Life, Times & Homes of Arthur Williams

5 Apr 201919 Apr 2022

By Bruce Bowden Outside Town Hall stands the statue of one of Port Hope’s native sons and one of local history’s most disputed heroes. Lt-Colonel Arthur Williams, also known as…

Historic Port Hope Hospital: Conservation Review Board Recommends Designation

19 Mar 201930 May 2022

On Wednesday, March 13th, the Conservation Review Board submitted its final report for Council consideration concerning the heritage designation of 65 Ward Street – recommending designation. ‘It is good news,’…

Battle To Save Historic Port Hope Hospital Going Strong

19 Mar 201930 May 2022

Since posting a petition nine months ago and asking for your support, there have been several developments regarding the designation of the historic Port Hope Hospital at 65 Ward St.…

Building A Healthier Option For The Historic Port Hope Hospital Together

19 Mar 201930 May 2022

By Bruce Bowden The protection of a community’s heritage is complex. Our heritage is a non-renewable resource and it is a basis for our understanding of our history and culture…

ACO Port Hope Annual Meeting: 2019

21 Jan 20194 Apr 2022

Thursday, February 21, 7 pm for 7:30Sculthorpe Room, Capitol Theatre One order of business will be to vote for next year’s Executive. The Slate is: Anna Gray: re-elect as DirectorMarielle…

Royal Canadian Legion Sends Letter of Support for Historic Port Hope Hospital

29 Aug 201830 May 2022

By Bruce Bowden If you drive by the site on Ward or Hope street today, the historic hospital is practically invisible, hidden by fencing and overgrown shrubbery. It does indeed…

1911: Townspeople Rallied to Build a Hospital for Port Hope

12 Jun 201830 May 2022

By Bruce Bowden They sacrificed for us. It’s our turn to save this important building, so they are never forgotten. “Everybody Here Says the Hospital Campaign is the greatest thing…

ACO Port Hope in Uphill Battle to Save Historic Hospital that Treated WW1 Soldiers

5 Jun 201830 May 2022

By Bruce Bowden Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) Port Hope has a fight on its hands – one worth every ounce of our commitment and best efforts. You know the…