Ontario Heritage Conference: Hamilton 2026

Get your tickets at https://cvent.me/Nyg8XR?RefId=OHC+2026

The Ontario Heritage Conference (OHC) is a must-attend event that offers educational, inspirational, and networking opportunities to everyone involved in heritage conservation as professionals or as volunteers. Programming generally showcases broad spectrum issues within the context and realities of the local host municipality. Under the auspices of Community Heritage Ontario (CHO), Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) and the Ontario Association of Heritage Professionals (OAHP), the conference provides an excellent opportunity for regions to showcase heritage tourism venues and heritage conservation accomplishments.

PROGRAM At a Glance

Please note that the schedule and program elements may be subject to change

THURSDAY JUNE 18, 2026

2:00 pm – 4:30 pm - Early Registration (Location t.b.d.) 

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm - Early Registration (Location t.b.d.)

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm - Public Event (Panel Discussion at Magnolia Hall) 

8:30 pm – 11:30 pm - Conference Meet & Greet (WSP Downtown Hamilton Office)

FRIDAY JUNE 19, 2026 (LIUNA Station)

8:00 am - 9:00 am  - Registration, Networking, Breakfast 

9:00 am - 10:30 am - Conference Opening, Welcome from Conference Host Committee, 

Greetings, Land Acknowledgement, 

   Keynote Speakers Panel (Q&A as time allows)

10:30 am - 11:00 am - Break 

11:00 am - 12:30 pm - Session/Tour #1

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - Lunch

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm - Session/Tour #2

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm - Break

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm - Session/Tour #3

5:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Break

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm - AGM (for CHO members)

6:30 pm - 9:30 pm - Gala Dinner (with presentations)

The marketplace will be open throughout the day (8:00 am - 6:00 pm)

SATURDAY JUNE 20, 2026 (Sherman Avenue North)

9:00 am – 10:30 am - Key Note Speaker Panel (Q&A as time allows) at the Playhouse Cinema

10:30 am – 11:00 am - Break 

11:00 am – 2:00 pm - Open Studio Tours, Workshops, Demonstrations, Tours at Cotton Factory

12:00pm – 1:30pm - Lunch provided at Cotton Factory 

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm - Walking Tours, Bus Tours, Access to Civic Museums

KEY CONFERENCE SITES

Please note that this list does not yet include off-site tour sites and civic museums.

Magnolia Hall

115 Hunter Street West, Hamilton, Ontario

Built in 1877 in the Gothic Revival style, Magnolia Hall is a beautiful example of adaptive re-use of a former place of worship.  As an Anglican church, St. Mark’s served the community for over 100 years before closing in 1989 and sat vacant until its re-opening in 2025.  Now owned by the City of Hamilton, the site has undergone extensive restoration, preserving the heritage character of the building and park, while adding modern services, gardens and accessibility. It now has a new life as a community arts and cultural programming space.  This property is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. 

WSP – Downtown Hamilton Office

41 King William Street, Suite 401, Hamilton, Ontario

Located only one block from Gore Park, The Empire Times is a significant revitalization project in Hamilton’s central core, completed by Core Urban Inc. The project included the combination of two buildings, the addition of a glass-encased two-sided elevator servicing all floors, and the addition of a rooftop patio. Extensive interior renovations opened up large contemporary office spaces with exposed brick walls and ductwork. The Empire Times is home to a variety of restaurants and creative businesses and studios.  This property is currently listed on the Municipal Heritage Register.  

LIUNA Station Banquet & Conference Centre

360 Jamest St. N., Hamilton, Ontario

Constructed between 1929 -1931, by the Canadian National Railway and designed by Architect John Schofield, this neoclassical style train station served both freight and passenger travel until its closure in 1993.   After being left vacant for several years, the Labourer's International Union of North America (LIUNA) purchased the station and undertook renovations to reopen as LIUNA Station in 2000.  The property is a designated National Historic Site, designated under the federal Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act and under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act by the City of Hamilton. 

Workers Arts and Heritage Centre (WAHC) 

51 Stuart Street, Hamilton, Ontario

Located in the Custom House (1858-60), a National Historic Site and one of the oldest remaining ‘federal’ public buildings in Canada, its style and construction reflect the rise of Hamilton as a major railway and Great Lakes port. It is often cited as “one of Hamilton’s foremost architectural landmarks.”  Designed by Frederick J. Rastrick and F.P. Rubridge, the Custom House is an excellent example of Italianate architecture.  Over its history, the building has been home to many uses including Customs Department, school, YWCA, residential accommodations, vinegar factory, offices for the American Computing Company and Empire Wool Stock Company, a macaroni factory and a martial arts academy until it was purchased in 1995 and re-opened as the Workers Arts & Heritage Centre

Playhouse Cinema

177 Sherman Avenue North, Hamilton, Ontario

Constructed in 1914, over its long history, this space has been used for Vaudeville and Motion picture, it was once Hamilton’s premier Italian Cinema, has been home to Theatre and to a local youth program until it was restored by the Tutt Family.  This property is now once again, an independently owned and operated, single screen cinema with its beautiful Art Deco details.  This property is currently listed on the City’s Inventory. 

The Cotton Factory

270 Sherman Avenue North, Hamilton, Ontario

This historic 1900 industrial complex formerly known as The Imperial Cotton Company Limited is a prime example of adaptive reuse.  Spaces have been transformed into workshops, galleries, office space for creative professionals and studios for artists.  This property is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. 

Please note that access to the 2^nd & 3^rd floors is available by stairs and by freight elevator (operated by an attendant).  Should the elevator have unforeseen mechanical issues during the conference, this site may not be fully accessible.

WHERE TO STAY

For places to stay across the Hamilton area, please visit

https://tourismhamilton.com/accommodations/

Downtown hotel options within walking distance of the conference venues include:

Sheraton Hamilton Hotel | Elevated Modern Hotel

Homewood Suites by Hilton Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Hotels in Hamilton, Canada | Staybridge Suites Hamilton - Downtown

Hampton Inn by Hilton Hamilton

Stay Different at The Laundry Rooms

Be sure to book your accommodations early, as rooms are in high demand for local events.

There are no reserved room blocks for the conference.  

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

PLATINUM

TBA

GOLD

Hamilton Heritage Foundation 

City of Hamilton PED

Community Heritage Ontario (CHO)

Hamilton Burlington Society of Architects (HBSA) / Ontario Association of Architects (OAA)

GCBA Architects

Fieldstone Windows & Doors Ltd. 

Atwill-Morin

SILVER

Ontario Association of Heritage Professionals (OAHP)

Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) - Hamilton Branch 

John G. Cooke and Associates 

Clifford Restoration Ltd.

BRONZE

Arcana Restoration Group Ltd. 

Heritage Mill

COPPER

Taylor Hazell Architects 

Invizij Architects

Egis Group

Tacoma Group

HOPA

IN-KIND

TBA

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE (LOC)

Hamilton Burlington Society of Architects

Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee

City of Hamilton - Planning & Economic Development Dept.

Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) - Hamilton Region Chapter

Heritage Hamilton Foundation

RELATED ORGANIZATIONS

Community Heritage Ontario (CHO)

Ontario Association of Heritage Professionals (OAHP) 

Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO)

CONTACT US

2026 Heritage Conference LOC

c/o Hamilton-Burlington Society of Architects

163 Rebecca St., Hamilton, ON L8R 1B9

Phone: (416) 837-3576

Email: hbsa.connect@gmail.com