Dear Council Members,

As a resident of Vankleek Hill, Champlain Township, I write to express my support for the proposal by Senior Planner Jennifer Laforest to conduct a survey of built heritage of architectural or historic interest, including barns and venues. Then from the survey, work with local history and heritage groups to create a heritage reference inventory for the township.

L’Orignal and Vankleek Hill are the earliest local communities, formed before Hawkesbury. The Ottawa River wharf at L’Orignal brought early prosperity, while the business of supporting agriculture allowed landlocked Vankleek Hill to blossom.

Between the provincially designated earliest courthouse in Ontario built in 1825 in L’Orignal, and the municipally designated Higginson Tower constructed on the remnants of an 1830 windmill in Vankleek Hill, there are many fine examples of built heritage and historic venues within Champlain Township.

During the time I was curator of the Musée régional d’Argenteuil, the MRC d’Argenteuil created a built-heritage inventory. I participated by photographing locations in Avoca which were entered into the inventory with dates and brief histories. This inventory resource was used successfully by Canadian film companies scouting for locations. A one-stop shop, harboured at the municipality, for the development of cultural tourism.

In February 2021, I was contacted by Alibi Entertainment who were exploring which Ontario towns to feature in their 6-episode series Boom or Bust for TVO. Based on the rich historic nature of Vankleek Hill – its buildings, its residents, and its surrounding agricultural families, our town was selected. This episode brought identifiable tourism to Vankleek Hill. A municipal heritage inventory would have made the process more convenient and accessible.

I respectfully ask Council to reconsider their June decision to file Ms Laforest’s proposal, and I encourage them to unanimously initiate the proposed survey needed for the inventory. It will be a gain for Champlain Township.

Michelle Landriault

Vankleek Hill