History and Heritage

History is alive in Huron East’s charming downtowns and storied streets.

Explore Seaforth’s Heritage Conservation District, where beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings line Main Street, offering a picture-perfect showcase of small-town Ontario craftsmanship. Stroll through Brussels and Seaforth, where heritage homes and landmarks reflect the pride and care of generations past. Be sure to visit Vanastra, a community with an extraordinary past as a top-secret Royal Canadian Air Force training base. Today, it has transformed into a thriving industrial and residential area with a story like no other.

Huron County Historical Society

The Huron County Historical Society is dedicated to discovering, collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich history of Huron County, with a particular focus on its early discovery and settlement. Each year, the Society publishes a new edition of Huron Historical Notes, a magazine-style publication featuring in-depth historical articles along with updates on Society activities. The Society also maintains a collection of local history books, serving as a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about Huron County’s past.

Museums

The Van Egmond House Museum is available for self-guided tours during special events. The Huron County Museum and Archives features historic collections from across Huron County.

Huron East Heritage Committee 

The Huron East Heritage Committee's mission is to identify, protect and promote Huron East's Heritage. The Committee acts in an advisory capacity to Council to aid in the process of designating properties, conducting research, promoting tax reduction programs and use of funds to maintain heritage properties within the Municipality, and promoting our heritage resources through education.

A large section of Seaforth's Main Street is designated a Heritage Conservation District under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. There are also several other properties across Huron East that are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and are listed in the Huron East Official Plan.