Skip to Content
Background Living Here
Orillia Home
  • Living Here
  • Doing Business
  • Visit Orillia
  • Inside City Hall
  • Online Services
Search
Take Me To...
City of Orillia print logo
Contact Us Main menu icon
  • Art in Public Places
  • Heritage Matters
  • Support for the Arts
  • Orillia Home
Follow Us: View our Twitter Page View our Facebook Page View our YouTube Page View the Community Services Instagram Page
  • Culture & Heritage
    • 2021 Orillia Regional Arts & Heritage Awards
    • Art in Public Places
    • Arts & Culture Directory
    • Black History Month
    • Champlain Monument Working Group
    • Community Services Information
    • EDI Roundtable
    • Event Planning
    • Festivals and Events
    • Heritage Matters
    • Indigenous Initiatives
    • Leacock Museum
    • Movies in the Park
    • Music in the Park
    • Orillia Opera House
    • Orillia Pride
    • Support for the Arts
      • Cultural Roundtable
View Entire Menu
  • Accessibility
  • Animal Control & Licensing
  • Building Division
    • Additional Resources
    • Building Compliance
    • Building Permits
    • Climate Change & Green Building
    • Development Charges
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Permit Reports
    • Property Standards
    • Sign Permits
  • By-laws/Municipal Code - Regulations & Policies
    • By-law Enforcement
      • Animal Control & Licensing
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • By-law Listing
    • Frequently Requested By-laws
    • Recreational Cannabis
    • Smoke/Vape Free Orillia
  • City Services
    • Utilities & Services
    • Snow Removal
  • Education
  • Emergency Services
    • 9-1-1 Calls
    • Emergency Management & Preparedness
      • Managing the City's Emergencies
      • Pandemic Plan
    • Extreme Weather Events
    • Fire
      • Activities - What's Hot!
      • Administration
      • Care Facilities
      • Communications
      • Employment & Recruitment
      • Fire Fighters in the Community
      • Fire Prevention
      • Fire Safety in the Home
      • Fire Stations
      • Fire Suppression
      • Inspection Services
      • Multi Residential Properties
      • Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Alarms
      • Student Housing
    • Police and Paramedic Services
  • Garbage, Recycling & Green Bin Pick-up
    • Community Clean-Ups & Anti-Littering
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Garbage Collection & Tag Program
    • Green Bin / Yard Waste
    • Landfill
    • Recycling Collection
    • Recycling Tips
    • Waste Collection Routes & Schedule
  • Have Your Say
  • Health Care
  • Housing
    • Affordable Housing Action Plan
    • Affordable Housing Incentives Funding
    • Affordable Housing Organizations
    • Affordable Housing Programs and Funding
    • Living in Orillia as a Student
    • Senior Housing
  • Landfill
    • Fees & Items Accepted
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Hours
    • Household Hazardous Waste Depot
    • Reports
    • Reuse Programs
    • Township Information
    • Waste Electronics Recycling
    • Waste Management Advisory Committee
  • Life Events
  • Living in Orillia as a Student
  • Maps
  • New Resident Information
  • News
    • Subscribe
  • Orillia's Climate Future
  • Parking & Ticket Payments
  • Property Taxes & Assessments
    • Paying Your Property Taxes
    • Property Tax Appeals
    • Property Tax Certificates
    • Property Tax Rates
    • Tax Sale Properties
  • Public Transit
    • About Orillia Transit
      • Advertising
      • Holidays
      • Route Map & Schedules
      • Transit Fares
    • Accessible Transit
    • Orillia Wheelchair Limousine Service
  • Recreation and Youth Services Information
    • Facilities & Parks
      • Booking a Facility
        • Arenas
        • Curling
        • Multi-Purpose Meeting Rooms
        • Pavilions
        • Sports Fields and Diamonds
      • Community Gardens
      • Parks
        • Beaches
        • Community Parks
        • Leash-Free Dog Zones
        • Marinas
        • Neighbourhood Parks
        • Outdoor Ice Rinks
        • Parkettes
        • Playgrounds
        • Scout Valley
        • Skateboard Park
        • Splash Pads
      • Parks Projects
        • Downtown Parkland
        • Emerald Ash Borer
        • Geese Management
      • Recreation Facility Project
      • Trails and Trail Maps
      • Waterfront
    • Facility Search
    • Golf Courses
    • Provincial Parks
    • Recreation Services
      • Birthday Parties
      • Orillia Recreation Centre
        • Aquatic Programs
        • Fitness Centre
        • Lifeguard Recruitment
        • Lifesaving Sport
      • Recreation Programs
        • Camps
        • Inclusion Services
        • Program Proposals
      • Seniors at Play Program
      • Special Events
      • Sports Leagues
        • Orillia Adult Hockey League
        • Orillia Girls Softball League
  • Roads & Traffic
    • Active Transportation
    • Heavy Truck Restriction Map
    • Snow Removal
    • Traffic Signals
    • Traffic Volume Map
    • Transportation Master Plan
  • Seniors Information
  • Sewer & Wastewater
    • Environmental Spills
    • Phosphorus
    • Pumping Stations
    • Septage Receiving Facility
    • Service Locates
    • Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
    • Wastewater Treatment Facilities & Process
    • Water & Sewer Rates
  • Source Water Protection
    • Source Protection Mapping
    • Vulnerable Areas
  • Stormwater
    • Stormwater Destination
    • Stormwater Management: Quality Control
    • Stormwater Management: Quantity Control
    • Stormwater Master Plan
  • Water
    • Bulk Water Services
    • Cross-Connection and Backflow Prevention Program
    • Drinking Water Quality Management System
    • Lead Service Replacement Rebate Program
    • Service Locates
    • Tips & FAQ
    • Water & Sewer Rates
    • Water Conservation
    • Water Meters
    • Water Quality
    • Water Treatment Facilities and Process
    • Water Usage Customer Portal
  • Youth Information

Heritage Matters

Show or hide navigation More
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email This page Email
HomeLiving HereCulture & HeritageHeritage Matters

More in this Section...

Lights from apartments reflecting in night water

Contact(s)

Receive Email Updates...

Celebrating our past while embracing the future is what makes Orillia a rich, vibrant and charming community to live, work and visit. Its charming heritage-themed downtown, lively neighbourhoods and parks are rich with beauty and history. Start your journey here with our historic sites, architecture and walking tours. 

 

 

Historical Sites and Monuments title

Click here to read about the Mnjikaning Fish WeirsRead more about the status of the Champlain MonumentClick here to view the ontario provincial police museum website

At the bottom of The Narrows, joining Lake Simcoe and Couchiching, are the remains of ancient fish weirs used and cared for by the Huron-Wendat and today the Chippewas.

For more information on the fascinating history of the Fish Weirs, click here.

Where once the Champlain Monument once stood in Couchiching Beach Park, only the staircase remains. It was removed in 2017 for restoration and has yet to return at the advice of Parks Canada and the Champlain Monument Working Group.

For updates on the status of the restoration, click here.

The OPP Museum, located in Orillia, Ontario, Canada is committed to the preservation and continuation of the material and cultural heritage of the Ontario Provincial Police.

Click here to access the museum's website.

Click here to read about designated properties in orillia Click here to view the Orillia Opera House website Click here to view the Orillia Museum of Art and History website
The Orillia Municipal Heritage Committee is responsible for the stewardship of the designated properties in Orillia under the Ontario Heritage Act. 

Click to here access the committee's home page, or click on Designated Properties or Properties of Interest for more information on heritage sites in Orillia.

Built in 1895, the Opera House has been a focal point for the cultural life of the City of Orillia. The only professional quality performing arts venue in the town, the theatre at one time was also used as a municipal office, police headquarters, and jail.

Click here to access the Orillia Opera House's website for history, events listings, and ticket purchases.

Located in the heart of downtown Orillia, the clocktower of the Sir Samuel Memorial Building is a beacon for the museum's historical location. The museum holds various exhibits, classes, art showings and events today.

Click here to access the Orillia Museum of Art and History website.

 

Click here to view the Leacock Museum website   Click Here to read about Orillia's Historical Plaques  

The Stephen Leacock House, historically known as "The Old Brewery Bay", is significant for its association with renowned Canadian author and academic, Stephen Leacock (1869 - 1944).   

Constructed in 1928, the house and surrounding grounds remains open today for tours, exhibits, and events. 

 

Click here for the Stephen Leacock Museum home page.

The Provincial Plaque Program is run by the Ontario Heritage Trust with nearly 1,300 familiar blue and gold plaques across Ontario. There are four within the Orillia area:

  • Chief William Yellowhead - Couchiching Beach Park
  • Founding of Orillia - Orillia Opera House
  • Franklin Carmichael - Orillia Public Library
  • Rama Indian Reserve - United Church, Rama Road
 

 

Historical Walking Tours title

Click here to view the historic downtown tourClick here to view the Millennium Trail TourClick here to view the Leacock Museum Tour

The tour is approximately 4 kilometers long and will take you through the historical buildings and quaint, locally owned shops that call downtown Orillia home.

You'll not only see the magnificent century homes, but hear all about the owners and pioneers who helped shape Orillia's early days.

Click here to view the Historic Downtown Tour.

The tour will take you along the shoreline of incredible Lake Couchiching. You'll stroll through Tudhope Park, past the Port of Orillia to the Atherley Narrows and Mnjinkaning Fish Weirs.

Click here to view the Millennium Trail Tour.

With nine points of interest on the Leacock grounds, your visit to the national historic site will be enhanced with the easy to use, free audio tour.

Learn about Stephen Leacock's life and construction his stunning lakeside home through the fully narrated guide.

Click here to view the Leacock Museum Tour.

 

 Culture and Heritage Title


Click here to view our Indigenous Initiatives pageClick here to view our Black History Month page

The City of Orillia's Indigenous Initiatives page works to collect resources to help residents further their understanding of the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in our community and across our nation through education and engagement.

Click here to view our Indigenous Initiatives webpage.

To help residents connect with resources and experiences, the City has compiled the Black History Month page to reflect various initiatives and resources on Black history and culture within the region and country.

Click here to access the Black History Month webpage.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inquiries?

Contact Jacqueline Surette
Manager of Culture
705-345-4530
jsurette@orillia.ca

 

 

Orillia logo

© City of Orillia, 50 Andrew Street South, Suite 300, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 7T5, Tel: (705) 325-1311, Fax: (705) 325-5178, Email: info@orillia.ca

Privacy2big4emailSitemapStaff DirectoryAccessibility & Communications
By GHD Digital

Take Me To...

Business Info

  • Transportation
  • Building Information
  • Why Choose Orillia?
  • Population Statistics
  • Utilities & Services

City Info

  • Transit
  • Recreation Facility
  • By-laws, Municipal Code
  • Parking & Ticket Payments
  • Applications, Licences & Permits
  • Mayor & Council
  • Weekly Bulletin Board
  • Major Projects

Recreation Info

  • Community Parks
  • Recreation Programs
  • Beaches
  • Trails
  • Recreation Facilities & Parks
  • Outdoor Ice Rinks
  • Changes and Cancellations

Visitor Info

  • Discover & Do
  • Events
  • Getting Around Orillia
  • Orillia Opera House
  • Port of Orillia
  • Shop & Dine
  • Stay & Plan
  • Stephen Leacock Museum

Waste & Landfill Info

  • Garbage/Recycling/Green Bin Pickup
  • Waste Collection Schedule
  • Landfill Site
  • Landfill Hours
  • Garbage Tags
  • Items/Fees
  • Green Bin/Compost
  • Recycling Tips
  • Recycling Collection
x

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.