Highlights since 1985
A quarter century of heritage protection highlights
The following is a partial list of important accomplishments of the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation since its creation in 1985.
Perhaps most important, and yet impossible to measure, is the creation of a heritage consciousness that permeates through the community and various groups and organizations. The LBHF is always pleased when other organizations champion heritage!
| 1988 | Publication of the 60-page report An Evaluation of Wildlife Habitat in the Lake of Bays Community |
| 1990 | Donate $1,000 toward the restoration of Holy Trinity Church at Newholm |
| 1990 | Began awarding annual heritage plaques to historic buildings maintained by the owners. This activity continues as part of each AGM. |
| 1991 |
Developed and posted speeding signs to discourage speeding by boats and resulting damage to shorelines. Signs also available for purchase. |
| 1991 | Built Heritage Committee identified criteria for listing buildings of note, developed a system for involving local citizens, and produced an initial listing of 100 buildings. |
| 1991 | First heritage tour in Muskoka on a boat named Wanda: to Bigwin Island and Port Cunnington. |
| 1991 | First cottage tour initiated by the Foundation. Ten cottages were included on this very popular tour that proved to be a successful fundraising event. |
| 1991 | Salvaged the old Bigwin Ferry from a sunken mooring and moved it to dry land at South Portage. |
| 1992 | Arranged for the library in Baysville to become an official repository for Foundation documents and records. |
| 1992 | Provided a grant to the Muskoka Heritage Areas Program. |
| 1992 | Presented a plaque to Hillside Memorial Church. |
| 1992 | Obtained assurances from the Township that the First Nations peoples will be consulted on the protection of the First Nations settlement and burial heritage on Bigwin Island. |
| 1993 | The number of buildings on the Foundation’s inventory of heritage buildings tops 250. |
| 1994 | Provided $1,000 donation in support of the restoration of Holy Trinity Pioneer Church, in Newholm. |
| 1994 | Pressed the Township to ensure the protection of the provincially significant Boyne River wetlands. |
| 1995 | Supported work on the Ruth Martin papers. They run to over 1,200 pages and include coverage of numerous interviews of the lake’s original settlers. This resulted in a limited number of high quality copies given by the LBHF to libraries in the area. |
| 1995 | Facilitated the restoration of the Lake of Bays Sailing Club’s heritage building by providing a vehicle for charitable donations. |
| 1996 | Contributed $5,000 to the study of the feasibility of restoring the Bigwin Ferry and installing it at Muskoka Heritage Place, in Huntsville. |
| 2002 | Surveyed permanent and seasonal residents to indentify attitudes, interest and priorities for heritage protection. |
| 2003 | Presented LBHF mission to Township Council and recommended creation of a Heritage sub-committee of Council to further policies in this area. |
| 2003 | Completed an electronic record of over 600 heritage property inventory of buildings around the Township. |
| 2003 | Transfer of ownership of the old Bigwin Ferry for restoration by the newly created Lake of Bays Marine Museum. |
| 2004 | Began annual sale of native plants and shrubs to encourage shoreline restoration. |
| 2004 | Secured the Egbert Boothby property with over one mile of shoreline and 40+ acres of woodlot. |
| 2004 | Launch of the first LBHF web site at www.lakeofbaysheritage.ca |
| 2005 | Held a friend raiser party with 60 people to celebrate 20 years of heritage protection and attract more Life Members. |
| 2007 | Partnership with the Ontario Heritage Trust to secure and manage the 100 acre Pyke Property woodlot near Brown’s Brae Road. |
| 2007 | Held a friend raiser party with over 100 people to celebrate heritage successes and attract more Life Members. |
| 2007 | Baysville shoreline replanting and restoration project along the river at Heeney Lake Rd. |
| 2008 | Acquisition of Oxtongue River property for permanent conservation including 80 acres and approximately 40% of the lower Oxtongue river habitat. |
| 2008 | Donated $1,000 toward restoration of the Baysville Schoolhouse, the oldest building in this community. |
Our Results
- Acquired 40 per cent of the Lower Oxtongue River for permanent protection, including 5.5 km of shoreline.
- Preserved one mile of natural shoreline and 47-acres of forest at Port Cunnington.
- Partnered with the Ontario Heritage Trust to be the steward of the 100-acre Pyke property near Brown's Brae.
- Recognized more than 30 building owners with plaques for heritage property protection.
- Encouraged the Township to create a Heritage Committee of Council to encourage protection.
News & Events
05.05.12
The Lake Of Bays View
Read More »
01.01.12
Campaign Success!
Read More »
08.17.11
LBHF Collecting Memoirs of the Lake
Read More »
Contact Us
Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation
P.O. Box 81
Baysville, Ontario
P0B 1A0
416.969.2727
info@lakeofbaysheritage.ca
