Part 1: Heritage Committee Advances Commemoration, Indigenous Representation, and Designation Work - 11/05/2025

The meeting opened as a virtual session with Chair Valrie Porter confirming the agenda, adopting previous minutes, and noting there were no pecuniary interest disclosures. The tone was relaxed but focused, with members clearly prepared for a long agenda.

Photo: PEC Council/ YouTube

View the entire PEC Council meeting, or continue for speaker comments and councillor votes >

Indigenous Cultural Sculpture Relocation Update

Early on, the committee received an update on the Indigenous Cultural Sculpture and Gazebo project near the Old Boys Memorial entrance in Picton. Staff confirmed that the gazebo has already been removed and that the Inuksuk is scheduled to be relocated before Remembrance Day. The sculpture will be repositioned at the Prince Edward Community Centre near the Huff’s Estate Arena, aligning it with an existing commemorative display tied to the torch ceremony. Members generally supported the move and agreed it would improve context and understanding, especially for younger residents. Questions focused on how the former site would be restored and landscaped once the sculpture is removed.

Remembrance and Commemoration Task Team Proposed

The meeting then shifted to a major discussion about commemorating the County veterans. Staff presented a report proposing the creation of a Remembrance and Commemoration Task Team. Committee members expressed strong support for the idea but also raised concerns about workload, clarity of roles, and practical issues like quorum and terminology. After a detailed back-and-forth, the committee agreed to move forward, approving the draft terms of reference and appointing three volunteers to the task team. The recommendation will now go to Council for final approval, timed intentionally just ahead of Remembrance Day.

Next, the committee heard a substantial presentation on Indigenous heritage representation in the County. Museum staff outlined the success of the “A Path Forward” permanent exhibit, including its award recognition and growing educational use by local school boards. Staff shared that more than 1,300 students participated in programming last year alone, with even more visits already booked this year.

The presentation then expanded to the County’s new public art program, explaining how Indigenous self-determination, co-creation, and trauma-informed commemoration are embedded in the guiding policies. Committee members received the update warmly and expressed interest in future collaboration.

Morrison Point (Kerr Farm) Heritage Designation Recommended

A large portion of the meeting was devoted to heritage designation of the Morrison Point property at 355B Morrison Point Road, also known as the Kerr farm complex. The committee reviewed staff recommendations and heard directly from heritage consultant Ernie Marketson. Discussion focused on ensuring the designation clearly includes not just the house, but the entire farm complex, outbuildings, and stone fences. Members emphasized the importance of clear language so future owners and staff understand exactly what is protected. The committee agreed to recommend designation to Council, with staff refining the bylaw wording before it proceeds.

Heritage Conservation District Signage Moves Forward

The committee then tackled Heritage Conservation District signage, a project that has been underway for some time. The working group reported frustration with administrative delays, budget uncertainty, and procurement rules slowing progress. Despite that, members agreed the project remains worthwhile. After detailed discussion, the committee approved a recommendation to Council to fund public engagement and design work this year, and to include funding in the 2026 budget for production and installation of signage in Picton and Wellington.

Later agenda items moved more quickly. The committee received updates from task teams, reviewed the master list of heritage permits, and discussed two specific heritage permit applications. One application for 133 Main Street was not supported due to design concerns, while another for 290 Wellington Main Street was praised for improving the building’s heritage character and was endorsed.

The meeting closed with discussion of the work plan and meeting schedule, including concerns about upcoming council elections, fewer meetings in 2026, and the looming January 2027 deadline when listed properties lose protection if not designated. Members stressed the need to accelerate designation work in the coming months. The meeting adjourned with confirmation of the next meeting in December.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 1:43:042. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.