Applications open for Heritage Plaque Program

The Township of Melancthon's Heritage Advisory Committee is now accepting applications for its new Heritage Plaque Program. 

The Heritage Plaque Program was created as a way to encourage residents to recognize the heritage of their homes and buildings in the community with a unique township plaque. 

“We saw other communities doing similar programs and we saw that it was quite successful. It's a really beautiful initiative that's allowing people to let others know their property has some heritage or historic value,” said Margaret Mercer, chair of the Heritage Advisory Committee. “It's really important in a community with older homes to recognize their certain architectural aspects of the heritage value of those homes. I think the next step would be for us to go towards some kind of tour, where people could see our heritage buildings.” 

Criteria to apply for the Heritage Plaque Program includes owning a building constructed before 1950 that is in suitable condition whether original or restored. 

Tips on researching a property's history have been provided in the application. Some of the tips include examining the deed, assessment notice, or tax bill as well as speaking with neighbours, the land registry office, and the Museum of Dufferin (MoD) 

Residents interested in applying for the Melancthon Heritage Plaque Program can access the application online at www.melancthontownship.ca. Completed applications can be filed in person at the Township of Melancthon's Municipal Office, located at 157101 Hwy. 10, with a $100 cheque payable to the “Township of Melancthon”. 

The Township of Melancthon is subsidizing the cost of the heritage plaques, which have an actual production cost of $300 plus HST each. 

Mercer said the funding for the subsidized cost is coming from the Heritage Advisory Committee's $5,000 budget. 

Fully completed application forms for the first intake period will be accepted until Dec. 1.