Heritage

Peterborough has a rich history. It is the birthplace of the modern canoe, boasts more than 100 designated heritage buildings, and is home to a National Historic Site of Canada.
The Canadian Canoe Museum has a collection of more than 600 canoes and kayaks. This is the world’s largest collection of its kind!

The Peterborough Lift Lock is the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world. It is also one of the oldest. The lift lock is part of the Trent-Severn Waterway, and is recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada. Many people enjoy skating in front of the lift lock in the winter.

Peterborough Museum & Archives preserves and celebrates Peterborough’s history by archiving thousands of documents and photographs, offering educational programs for people of all ages, supporting historical research, and showing both ongoing and special exhibitions.

Hutchinson House and Lang Pioneer Village offer a glimpse of life in the Peterborough area in the 19th century.

Doors Open Peterborough provides a great way to learn about Peterborough’s history. Each year Doors Open offers free tours of heritage buildings that are either not normally open to the public or would normally charge a fee for admittance.