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| Cultural Heritage |
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The heritage of the Thousand Islands is alive in the legendary tales that speak of struggles of settlement, courage of loyalty to the Crown, establishment of towns and cities, golden days of river guiding, construction of island castles, and even disregard for unreasonable laws! You will undoubtedly begin to discover this unique way of life, shaped by rock and water, as you travel the region and meet the friendly locals and summer people who share their stories freely. |
Local museums and historic sites abound. From Old Fort Henry and the Martello Towers of Kingston to the Rideau Canal, to Fort Wellington in Prescott, the legacy of the British defence system of this strategic area of Upper Canada remain active today. View the historic gunboat at Mallorytown Landing to gain a sense of the 19th century naval fleet that cruised the river and Great Lakes to protect from southern invaders. Visit Darlingside at the Raft Narrows, Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, or the MacLachlin Woodworking Museum at Grass Creek to better imagine what early settlement life entailed. Share the wonder and love of the islands with the artists and artisans of the region at studios, galleries and fine gift shops along the river corridor. Be sure to visit the historic waterfront village at Gananoque, particularly the Arthur Childs Heritage Centre and VAGA Gallery, to view the creations of the finest local artists. Stewardship: The natural and cultural heritage of the Thousand Islands is highly valued by residents and visitors alike. Protection to ensure that the heritage of the region is not threatened is afforded to several special places. Public land stewardship is undertaken by St. Lawrence Islands National Park and the Parks of the St. Lawrence. These parks balance natural heritage protection with recreational use and enjoyment. Sensible rules and guidelines are established to ensure the natural environment and high-quality recreation opportunity are preserved. Be sure to familiarize yourself with this information. Private land stewardship is undertaken by caring individuals in the region, supported by the Thousand Islands Heritage Conservancy, Leeds County Stewardship Council, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, among many other organizations. As a visitor to the Thousand Islands you can contribute to the stewardship effort by striving to attain the highest standard of low-impact practice, learning more about the ecology of the region, or supporting one of the conservation organizations that work to ensure this tiny jewel of the St. Lawrence remains.
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