London Heritage Council

About London Heritage Council

The London Heritage Council is a not-for-profit cultural heritage organization located in downtown London, Ontario, on King St. It serves the local community by promoting heritage projects, advocating for cultural institutions, and helping residents connect with the history of the Forest City. The organization describes itself as a bridge between the past and the future, aiming to foster deeper connections between Londoners and their shared stories through advocacy and outreach. The council offers a variety of programs and events, including the Heritage Fair, which celebrates local history and culture during Heritage Week. They organize the city's main Canada Day celebration, the interactive Night Market London festival, and the annual Doors Open London event, which provides free access to museums and heritage sites. Other specific offerings include the History Symposium, the Museum School London for elementary students, and the Experience London program for newcomers. They also administer the Community Heritage Investment Program, which provides funding to local museums and heritage professionals, and manage tours for the Labatt Memorial Park and Collection. Established as an independent organization in 2007, the London Heritage Council has spent 19 years advocating for the role of cultural institutions. The organization works in partnership with the City of London Culture Services to facilitate communication between the municipality and the public. The team is led by Executive Director Terri Smale, Director of Operations Dhira Ghosh, Communications Coordinator Jacob Neal, Labatt Memorial Park Coordinator Jonathan Bayer, and Events and Programs Intern Marie Sengupta. While the council promotes and celebrates heritage, it specifies that it does not handle the restoration of heritage buildings or homes.