Heritage Properties of Canada (HPOC) is an entrepreneurial initiative aimed at raising awareness of heritage property topics in Canada while providing an informative and entertaining experience for visitors.  The website is focused on the appreciation of Canadian heritage properties, including homes, land and parks, commercial buildings, public structures, and personal property such as antiques and collectibles. Our newly opened e-store provides heritage-style products, both new and vintage, with our goal of at least 50% Canadian product content by the end of 2019.  Also available are a selection of mint-condition antiques. Check back often, as we're adding new products weekly! We'll frequently publish interesting and informative articles, with the website and articles to be available in French soon.  The site has...

The Prime Minister's Official Residence at 24 Sussex Drive is the subject of much debate over its future.  HPOC invited Andrew Narraway, a recent history graduate from Carleton University, to share his research on the little-known origins of this prominent Canadian heritage property.   By Andrew Narraway, M.A. The house that sits on the south bank of the Ottawa river at 24 Sussex Drive was not always simply known by its address. For years, the house went by its original name “Gorffwysfa,” meaning place or haven of rest in Welsh, a title bestowed by its original owner; Joseph Merrill Currier. The house was to be many things to Currier in its early days. Primarily, it was a representation of his life as...

Driving across the Ottawa River to Québec, then east on highway QC-50, past Gatineau suburbs and into the hills of the Laurentians, we traverse the sunny frozen landscape and notice the car’s thermometer indicating -23, while not showing the real temperature of -35 with the wind chill.  Our vehicle is packed with suitcases, skates, snowshoes and poles — we’re optimistically prepared for an array of winter resort activities at our destination.

Up ahead is the world’s largest log structure nestled by the Ottawa River at the foot of the mountain range.  Soon we see the highway sign and eagerly anticipate our arrival.