Ogasawara Islands, JapanEach year the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) revises its list of world heritage sites. The initiative to designate buildings, towns, landscapes, and other materials on an international scale began in 1972 following the ratification of the convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage. This year's … Continue reading New UNESCO Sites
The Impact of UNESCO Designation in Djenné, Mali
A recent episode of The Current on CBC radio examined the impact of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on communities that are designated World Heritage Sites. The Current looked specifically at the designation of Dejenne. The episode looks at the contrast between preservation concerns and the needs of the people who … Continue reading The Impact of UNESCO Designation in Djenné, Mali
Younge Street Built Heritage Loss
Yesterday, the heritage building once known as William Reynold's Block at Younge and Gould Streets in Toronto burnt to the ground. The building was built in 1888 and last year suffered major damage to its facade. A great concise history of the building was posted on BlogTO in May 2010.Following the collapse of a portion … Continue reading Younge Street Built Heritage Loss
Built Heritage in Danger: Sudbury’s Flour Mill
The Moulin à Fleur neighbourhood Sudbury located immediately north of the downtown core was one of the first neighbourhoods to develop outside of the original settlement. The most well known landmark in the area is the flour mill which gave the community its name. The mill silos will be 100 this year.This mill has long … Continue reading Built Heritage in Danger: Sudbury’s Flour Mill
Historical Societies and Community Heritage
Regardless of the size of the city, town, or rural community you live in there is a good chance your community has a historical society. These societies are often comprised of passionate volunteers who care greatly about the preservation of community history. What role does your local historical society play in the preservation and interpretation … Continue reading Historical Societies and Community Heritage
Heritage Properties Online
In my public history class, we recently discussed heritage legislation in Canada. A portion of our discussion focused on the ineffectiveness of this legislation, and the extent to which the preservation of heritage properties often depended on how active a municipal community was. We also came to the conclusion that more often then not heritage … Continue reading Heritage Properties Online