Our Government
Budget
Council Grants
Heritage

Heritage

The City of Whitehorse Heritage Program was established to encourage the protection and preservation of heritage resources in Whitehorse and support heritage activities. The Program includes a process for Municipal Historic Site designation and provides funding opportunities for site restoration, events, and other heritage related projects. The program is guided by the City’s Heritage Management Plan.

Heritage Fund

The City has grant opportunities available for eligible heritage projects, as specified in the Heritage Fund Bylaw. Projects must involve:

  • Restoration of heritage properties
  • Enhancement of heritage properties
  • Renovation of heritage properties to meet code requirements
  • Increasing public awareness of heritage issues
  • Other purposes as specified by Council

Funding for projects that involve physical restoration of heritage properties is administered through the City’s Heritage Restoration Incentive Policy. Incentives can be awarded in the amount of up to $20,000 to cover up to 50% of project costs. Applications are considered for properties and buildings that have received Municipal Historic Site designation, and those in the process of receiving designation. To be eligible, properties must be listed on the Heritage Registry and must be owned by individuals, groups, or organizations (properties owned by governments will not be considered). Eligibility is renewed every 10 years.

There is no application form for applications that relate to heritage events and activities. Contact Planning and Sustainability Services to discuss a potential project. Funding recognition must follow specifications listed in the City’s Grantmaking Policy.

Municipal Historic Sites

City Council adopted the Heritage Bylaw to encourage the protection and preservation of heritage resources within the municipal boundary of Whitehorse. The Bylaw outlines evaluation criteria for heritage resources to receive designation as Municipal Historic Sites. Consideration is based on architectural history, cultural history, context, integrity, and age. There are 17 Municipal Historic Sites designated in Whitehorse.

Municipal Historic Sites are listed on the City’s Heritage Registry. The registry also identifies other buildings and resources of significant historic value that have not received official designation.

If you are interested in having a building or property listed on the Heritage Registry, or designated as a Municipal Historic Site, contact Planning & Sustainability Services.

The Government of Yukon (YG) Department of Tourism and Culture has a designation process for sites of Territorial historic significance, some of which are located within Whitehorse. For information, visit the Yukon government’s historic sites webpage.