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Provincial Plaque Program

The Provincial Plaque Program is the Trust’s oldest and perhaps best-known activity, with nearly 1,300 familiar blue and gold plaques in communities across Ontario. The plaques enliven Ontario’s history, sharing stories of the people, places and events that have helped to shape the province. They enrich our sense of place and introduce newcomers and visitors to the unique character of regions, communities and Nations within the province.

With so many plaques reaching back across more than 60 years of research and interpretation, the Trust acknowledges that many of the plaques are exclusionary in their interpretation and include outdated terminology related to culture, race and gender. Our understanding of Ontario’s heritage has broadened over the years through new research, terminology, and the sharing and valuing of additional perspectives. There is a bigger conversation about many of these subjects than the text presented on the plaques.

The Trust aspires to see an Ontario where the places, landscapes, traditions and stories that embody our heritage are reflected, valued and conserved for future generations. We recognize that the cultural history of what is now Ontario stretches back more than 10,000 years. We strive to foster an understanding and appreciation of our past and to give voice to the diversity of Ontario’s people and places. We value inclusive, multi-faceted representations of the province’s heritage that reflect our diversity and complexity.

Our interpretation is based on the principles of integrity, research and documentation, context, sustainability, access and engagement, collaboration and co-operation, and education and responsive change. We work with partners from across Ontario and encourage people to share their own stories, in their own words, in their own languages.

One of the ways that the Trust tells Ontario’s stories is through provincial plaques. These plaques have been created over more than 60 years. Over time, our understanding of Ontario’s heritage has broadened — through new research, the evolution of terminology, and the sharing and valuing of new perspectives. The Trust is examining how stories are told in an honest, authentic and inclusive way.

For many subjects commemorated by provincial plaques, the story presented is a small part of a much more complex topic. As we seek to tell a more complete story, we will be adding resources and perspectives as they become available. We strive to build a deeper understanding, showcase our diversity, and create a lasting record that reflects the breadth, depth and complexity of the past as we look to the future.

Unveiling of a provincial plaque in Sault Ste. Marie commemorating Shingwauk Hall, a former Residential School (now Algoma University)

Unveiling of a provincial plaque in Sault Ste. Marie commemorating Shingwauk Hall, a former Residential School (now Algoma University)

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Criteria

The Provincial Plaque Program is a cost-sharing activity of the Ontario Heritage Trust. Applicants may submit only one application for a single plaque project in any given year. An original 1,000-word typed essay or background paper on the proposed subject with a list of sources used in its preparation must be submitted with the application. The Trust does not undertake projects that involve more than one plaque or a series of plaques on a given subject (e.g., a series of plaques along a trail or walking tour route).

Provincial interest is the major criterion by which applications for provincial plaques are assessed. The onus for making the case for the provincial interest of a subject rests with the applicant. Judgments about provincial interest are made within the context of a balanced and comprehensive view of Ontario's past. 

The following criteria are considered when evaluating provincial interest:

  • the extent to which a particular subject serves as a good representative example of an important theme in Ontario's heritage; this factor is most significant when few plaques to similar subjects exist within the program

  • the degree to which the proposed plaque subject is a rare, unique or early example of its type; claims of this sort must be verified by the Trust's research

  • the contribution that a plaque will make to the promotion and preservation of public awareness of its subject

  • knowledge of the subject, including the availability and reliability of documentary proof and scholarly opinion that supports the claim of provincial interest

  • the extent to which a subject is particular to Ontario or exclusively Ontarian; when all other factors are equal, subjects that are unique to Ontario take precedence over those that are more widespread

  • the suitability of the subject for interpretation by means of a plaque

  • the availability of a site for the plaque that is historically appropriate

  • priority will be given to subjects related to under-represented themes or to the Trust’s thematic approach

Cost-sharing

The Provincial Plaque Program is a cost-sharing program. At this time, the Trust asks that each applicant contribute to their project a minimum of $6,500 as well as in-kind support. Private corporations and government agencies are asked to contribute the entire amount. There is no application fee for the program.

A commitment to contribute funds should be made by the applicant at the time of application. Payment is not required until after approval of the application and must be received in full prior to the casting of the plaque. The applicant does not acquire any ownership rights to the plaque by making a contribution to its cost. While the contributions of applicants and other sponsors are appreciated and will be acknowledged, only the Ontario Heritage Trust's name appears on the credit line of provincial plaques.

Successful applicants are also expected to assist in the coordination of a public unveiling event at the local level.

Present areas of focus

Since 1982, the Trust has provided both French and English text for all new and replacement plaques. Plaques may also be created in additional languages (e.g., Mandarin, Mohawk, Ojibwe, Gaelic, etc.).

The Trust works in partnership with community groups, governments and corporations across Ontario on provincial plaque initiatives. Please contact us to discuss your ideas. 

In addition, the Trust encourages provincial plaque applications for subjects following these priority themes:

  • Indigenous heritage

  • Human rights and equality

  • Women’s history

  • Celebrations of diversity and identity

  • Community leaders and innovators

  • Environment and natural heritage

  • Sports and leisure

Subjects that fall outside of these priority areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

When the Ontario Heritage Trust produces a provincial plaque, it engages a historian with subject-matter expertise to prepare a detailed historical background paper. For some of these topics, these papers are one of the few public records available. The Trust is committed to sharing these historical background papers. As we work to expand the narrative around certain under-represented topics and tell a more inclusive history of our shared past, we will continue to add these background papers here.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Provincial plaque background papers

The Trust currently has a backlog of plaque projects. While we continue to unveil and replace plaques, we are still interested in your suggestions for possible provincial plaques in the future. Please complete and submit this form and one of our staff will contact you about next steps.

Suggest a subject for a provincial plaque