Community Heritage Register: Criteria for Recognition

As something that tells a layered and rich story about a community, heritage can be unique to each area. What is important or significant to one community is not necessarily as important or significant to another.

“The spirit and character of Crowsnest Pass is largely defined by its unique history and heritage. Historic places tell the story of the land, the people, and the buildings of communities.” (source)

Describing the value of heritage is key to identification, retention, conservation, and recognition. By describing the value of heritage, it is possible to identify the importance and significance of heritage for past, present and future generations.

It is important that each local government understands what is important to the community it serves. Following, is a list of ideas and approaches that can be used as a starting point when developing criteria for identifying and describing the importance and significance of local heritage.

An established practice of describing heritage value is to follow the five categories identified in the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada: (source)

• Aesthetic: refers to the sensory qualities of a historic place (seeing, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting) in the context of broader categories of design and tradition.
• Historic or cultural: refers to the associations that a place has with past events and historical themes, as well as its capacity to evoke a way of life or a memory of the past.
• Scientific: refers to the capacity of a historic place to provide evidence that can advance our understanding and appreciation of a culture. The evidence is found in the form, materials, design and/or experience of the place.
• Social: considers the meanings attached to a place by a community in the present time. It differs from historical or cultural value in that the value may not have an obvious basis in history or tradition, and relates almost entirely to the present time.
• Spiritual is ascribed to places with religious or spiritual meanings for a community or a group of people.

These values are the basis for the Statement of Significance. “A SOS is a succinct way of expressing heritage value, workable for the many jurisdictions across the country that are engaged in recognizing heritage value. It ensures that heritage values are communicated in an effective and consistent manner that bridges the differences between jurisdictions.” (source) A Statement of Significant can be prepared by anyone with sufficient interest and time, but a heritage professional is recommended. For a list of heritage professionals, please visit BC Association of Heritage Professionals or contact Heritage BC. Information about Statements of Significance can be found on Heritage BC’s webinar-on-demand (link).

“A site’s heritage value may lie as much in the information contained in the elements as in their evocative force, as vestiges of past histories.” (source)

Other considerations include:

• The materials used (the ‘fabric’)
• The general design and configuration of a building or buildings
• The setting or context; the location
• The use(s) and association(s) with people, activities, traditions, rituals
• The importance to local cultural or natural history
• The meanings of a place; evolution of the community
• Intangible qualities that are described in stories and traditions
• Cultural practices, activities, and events
• Significant person(s) associated with the place
• Characteristic architectural styles; artistic qualities
• Craftmanship and technical achievement
• Relationship to the community’s history and development
• Local identity and the degree to which the site contributes to the historic character of an area
• Landmark status in the community
• Contribution to an understanding of a community or culture
• Archaeological significance

This process of identifying heritage values should also explore values that pre-date what is being described. Examples include:

• a pre-existing structure (e.g. an existing structure built on the site of an earlier structure);
• earlier use/feature of land (e.g. a diverted river; an early, but abandoned farm);
• and, importantly, connections of Indigenous people and other distinct cultures. Describing Indigenous and culture connections is very important to developing a richer story with a deeper depth of time. Please note, Indigenous people have the right to tells their stories and so it is important information is obtained from a prime source (e.g. an Elder) and is distributed with the permission of the affected First Nation.

The Nova Scotia government has provided a helpful list of questions to consider (source):

Age

• Is the property comparatively old in the context of the community or province?
• Does it reflect a particular historical period or event?
• Is it similar in age to surrounding buildings and therefore contributes to the continuity of the streetscape or heritage district?

Architect/Builder

• Was the property designed and/or built by a locally, provincially or nationally renowned architect?
• Did the property’s architect/designer make a significant contribution to the community or province?

Historic Associations

• Was the property owned or resided in by a person who is significant to the community or province?
• Did a significant person visit or stay there?
• Was the property used by a significant person?
• Did a significant event occur at the property?
• Is the property related to a significant event? (Significant historic events frequently include WWI, WWII, the Halifax Explosion, sinking of the Titanic, arrival of the Loyalists, etc.)

Architectural Style

• Is the property an outstanding example of a specific architectural style?
• Is it an uncommon/rare or unique architectural style for the area/province?
• Does the architectural style contribute to the streetscape or district

Construction Method

• Is the property a good or excellent example of a method of construction?
• Is it an uncommon/rare or unique method for the area/province?
• Does the method reveal important details about the builders?
• Has the place maintained its integrity, without substantial alterations or renovations?
• Is the craftsmanship particularly impressive or unique?

The City of Vancouver has developed a set of five themes to guide nominations to the Vancouver Heritage Register. (source)

• Theme 1: Settling Vancouver (First Nations; Coastal Geography; the Developing City)
• Theme 2: Resource Economy (Terminal City, Resource Extractions and Industrial Production; Infrastructure and Transportation; and Labour)
• Theme 3: Community Life and Neighbourhoods (Community Associations; Fraternal Associations; Social Movements; Religious Institutions; Education; Health Care; and City of Neighbourhoods)
• Theme 4: Governing the City (Civic Institutions; Provincial and Federal Connections; Planning the City; and Law, Order, and Security)
• Theme 5: Building a Coastal Culture (Arts and Culture; Architecture; Philosophy and Spirituality; Leisure and Tourism; and Media)

Community Heritage Register versus Heritage Designation

It is important to understand the differences between a Community Heritage Register and designation. Each provides a means to recognize heritage value and character, and a property may be listed on a heritage register, or have heritage designation, or both. But a CHR does not provide the same legal protections as a designation.

The Province of BC describes the basic differences as (source):

Heritage Conservation, A Technical Guide for Local Governments expands on this by contrasting the legislation:

A designated property is legally protected by the local government. Designation offers long-term protection and allows a government to regulate alterations and demolition. If the designation of a property causes a reduction in the market value of the property at the time of designation, the local government must compensate the owner. Compensation can be in either monetary or some other form.

A property included in a community heritage register is not designated (unless it has been separately designated by bylaw) and therefore is not eligible for any financial incentive or compensation from the local government. The registration of a property does not offer permanent heritage protection. A registered property, however, is eligible for special provisions in the BC Building Code Heritage Building Supplement.

A comparison of designation and Community Heritage Register comes from Heritage Conservation: A Technical Manual for Local Governments.

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This guide provides an overview of the Community Heritage Register through research and commentary. Application of this heritage conservation tool is not prescriptive, as it can be adapted to each situation. Local governments and regional districts wanting to implement the heritage conservation tools should seek legal counsel as required.

SPECIAL NOTE: It is intended this guide will develop through community input. If you have best practices and case studies that would benefit this guide, please contact Heritage BC.