- When you start a game, OpenGuessr will place you in a random location in the Town of Essex using Google Street View. It's up to you to use context clues guess where you are.
- Look for visual that can help you identify your location.
- Once you have explored the area and gathered enough clues, click on the map and try to place a pin where you think you are.
- The closer you place your pin to the correct location, the more points you'll score
Heritage Week
Each February, Ontarians are invited to participate in Heritage Week, an annual celebration of diverse traditions, cultural expressions, and heritage in all its forms (cultural and natural, architectural, archaeological and collections).
This year, the Town of Essex will celebrate Heritage Week from February 17-23, 2025.
This years theme, “Perceptions of the Past ”, will focus on the future of Heritage and cultural planning in the Town of Essex for the next 25-30 years.
For a full list of online activities planned for Heritage week, please see below. We look forward to celebrating these milestones in our local history with you!
Heritage Week Itinerary
- On Monday February 17 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village (6155 Arner Townline, Essex, ON) will be offering FREE admissions in honour of Family Day. Families are invited to explore the museum, enjoy crafts activities and breakfast or lunch at the 50s diner.
- On Monday February 17 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, the Town of Essex will be hosting a Public Open House at the Canada Transportation Museum and Heritage Village. Residents are invited to review and provide input on the Town’s Indigenous consultation efforts, Cultural Heritage and Archaeology policies and Cultural Character Areas in the New Official Plan, and existing Heritage Programs including the Heritage Grant, Heritage Plaque, and Heritage Farm Sign Program, and learn about new heritage programs planned for the future.
- On Monday February 17 from 10 am to 2:30 pm, the Essex County Steam and Gas Engine Museum (11071 Concession Road 11, McGregor, ON) will have FREE admission, FREE tours with wagon rides, FREE hotdogs, pop/water, chips and smore making over a wood burning BBQ.
- On Tuesday February 18 at 6:00pm, Town of Essex Council will congratulate winners of the 2025 Youth and Community Heritage Awards. Each year, the Municipal Heritage Committee garners nominations for community members and organizations who demonstrate excellence in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Town of Essex.
- On Tuesday February 18 and Thursday February 20 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, the Harrow Early Immigrant Research Society (HEIRS) will be hosting an Open House at the Harrow Community Centre (243 McAffee Street, Harrow). People are encouraged to visit their resource centre to learn more about what is available in the HEIRS collection, research local or family history, and chat with the HEIRS Directors.
- On Wednesday February 19 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm and again on Saturday February 22 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm the Essex Railway Station will be honouring the history of Essex Centre by playing a four-part video series at the Station (87 Station Street in Essex Centre).
- On Wednesday February 19 , the Town of Essex will be hosting a meeting with members of the local heritage organizations to obtain feedback on their long-term plans, needs, and potential municipal supports. This meeting is by invite only. If you are a Heritage Organization who is interested in attending, please contact heritage@essex.ca to reserve your spot.
- On Thursday February 20, the Town of Essex will be hosting an Open House from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the John R. Park Homestead (915 County Road 50 East) for all owners of designated and listed heritage properties and members of the general public who are interested in the designation process, to showcase the resources available through the Heritage Grant and Plaque program, obtain feedback on existing and planned programs, and discuss potential municipal supports.
- Throughout Heritage Week, a number of Heritage-themed posts will also be shared on the Town’s Facebook page. Watch out for these posts to test your local historical knowledge with the Heritage Week 2025 Quiz and enter to win a copy of Edward Milo Johnson’s book, New Canaan: Freedom-Land or a copy of Laurie Brett’s book, The Rising Village: An Early History of Essex, Ontario!
Youth and Community Heritage Awards
An important component of Heritage Week is the recognition of individuals and organizations who help to preserve and promote our local history through the Community Heritage Preservation Award.
If you wish to nominate an individual or organization for this Award, send an email to heritage@essex.ca with a brief explanation why.
Town of Essex Heritage Bursary
The Town of Essex and the Essex Municipal Heritage Committee are committed to the pursuit of a higher education around local history and heritage. As a result, a $500 bursary shall be awarded annually to a Town of Essex resident pursuing studies in heritage courses at a post-secondary institution in Ontario. The bursary will help finance both undergraduates and post-graduates in the following fields: History, Archaeology, Archives and Records Management and Heritage Resources Management and courses that contribute to the preservation and promotion of local heritage.
The completed Application Form and relevant evidence must be completed by March 31, 2026 at 4:30p.m. Please complete the form and provide all supporting documents to Town Hall, 33 Talbot Street South Essex or email heritage@essex.ca.
Heritage Week Feedback Form
This feedback form has been created to obtain comments from our Heritage Organizations and community members on our heritage planning efforts to date, our draft Official Plan policies for Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, proposed Official Plan policies for Character Defining Areas and Heritage Conservation Districts, and recommendations for future enhancements to heritage programs. Forms are available online or in person at Town of Essex Facilities and may be submitted online or in person by Monday March 31 at 4:30pm.
OpenGuessr
OpenGuessr is an online geography game where you use visual context clues to figure out where you are in the world. The Town of Essex has created a map featuring historically significant locations from across the municipality. Each location is important to our Town's cultural heritage and character! Click the link below to play with the Heritage in Essex map!
- Examine the surrounding buildings, street signs, natural heritage features, and landmarks to narrow down your location within the Town of Essex.
- To learn more about the history of the Town of Essex and each featured location, please use the resources provided on our website, such as the Essex Heritage Register webpage, Heritage Farm Program webpage, Barn Quilt Driving Tour Interactive Map, and the Colchester 225 booklet.
Barn Quilt Driving Tour
A Barn Quilt is a form of rural art that features one large decorative mural with quilt block pattern that is painted on a board and proudly displayed on farm buildings such as barns. During Heritage Week, enjoy a driving tour to view the many barn quilts within the Town of Essex. Click the link below to view the interactive Barn Quilt Driving Tour Map!
Heritage Bingo Card
Download and complete the bingo card by completing the activities in the squares.
Heritage Farm Program
The Heritage Farm program recognizes the long-term stewardship of agricultural lands within the Town of Essex. To commemorate these heritage properties, eligible farm owners can request a sign to proudly display their designation as a heritage farm in the Town of Essex. Local farm operators that have been active for over fifty (50) years are invited to submit an application for designation through the Town of Essex Heritage Farm program at the following link: www.essex.ca/heritagefarm
For Parents and Teachers
Add some colour to our history with your child or class by downloading a free copy of our Local History Colouring Book in English or French.
For Residents of all Ages
With so much to discover, residents of all ages can learn about the rich history that the Town of Essex has to offer.
- Take a Virtual Tour of some of the Town's most interesting heritage buildings and properties:
- Check out two rooms in the award-winning John R. Park Homestead.
- Visit the interior of one of the spiritual pillars of Mc Gregor with a tour of St Clement Church.
- Drop into Essex Centre's historic and beautiful Essex United Church.
- Enjoy an historic driving tour to visit some of the Town's "lost settlements."
Learn more about our local history and the organizations that support it.
Learn more about the merits of heritage designation.
Discover our full inventory of listed and designated properties.
For Owners of Listed or Heritage Designated Properties
Contact Us
Town of Essex
33 Talbot Street South
Essex, Ontario,
N8M 1A8
519-776-7336