Local heritage efforts in Dresden were in the spotlight as Chatham-Kent’s Municipal Heritage Committee celebrated Heritage Day on Feb. 21, 2026, recognizing property owners for preserving and restoring historic buildings.
The event featured both a daytime family-oriented program and the Mayor’s Heritage Awards ceremony in the evening, highlighting community involvement in protecting local history.
More than 175 people attended the daytime event, which included interactive displays on heritage buildings, youth-focused programming, and opportunities to meet local authors and members of the municipal heritage committee.
The evening awards ceremony, held at Retro Suites Hotel, drew over 90 attendees and included a guest speaker along with presentations across five categories.
Dresden properties were prominently recognized. The Residential Preservation and Restoration Award went to 384 St. George Street North, which also received the People’s Choice Award. In the Industrial and Commercial category, multiple properties at 103, 107, 111, 123 and 131 Brown Street in Dresden were honoured for their preservation efforts.
“It was wonderful to see the community come together to celebrate local heritage” said Mayor Darrin Canniff, “Our community is fortunate to have such a rich and diverse collection of historic properties that reflect the evolution of Chatham-Kent. Without continued commitment to protecting these irreplaceable landmarks, we risk losing site of the stories, craftsmanship, and historical events that have shaped who we are today and link future generations to those who came before.”
Other awards presented during the ceremony included the Rural and Agricultural Award for a property on River Line in Chatham and the Adaptive Reuse Award for a William Street North property in Chatham.
“The efforts that the Municipal Heritage Committee put into hosting Heritage Day and relaunching the Mayor’s Heritage Awards are worth noting,” said Gabriel Clarke, Manager of Growth and Sustainability with Chatham-Kent. “The committee worked for months to prepare for the event, gathering nominations, judging properties, promoting Heritage Day, and coordinating all the details needed to make it a success. In addition to recognizing the winners, the Committee itself deserves to be acknowledged for its dedication and hard work.”
A total of 12 nominees and award recipients were recognized for their contributions to preserving Chatham-Kent’s heritage.
