National Historic Sites

are designated by the federal government on the advice of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. They commemorate events, activities, people, and architecture considered to be of national significance. They also include canals . Parks Canada administers the program, providing research, planning, conservation, and other professional support, and is also responsible for erecting and maintaining commemorative plaques and monuments. Only a small proportion of the sites are actually owned by this federal agency; the rest, owned by individuals, corporations, other levels of government, and non-government organizations, are the responsibility of the owners. There are no legal obligations or restrictions implicit in a national historic site designation, unless stipulated in a cost-sharing agreement with Parks Canada.

Most of the 145 national historic sites managed by Parks Canada have been developed as public attractions. They typically include some combination of a visitor orientation centre, restored buildings, archaeological remains, exhibits, and costumed guides. Examples include L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland; the Halifax Citadel; the St-Maurice forges in Quebec; Bellevue House in Ontario; Lower Fort Garry , Manitoba; Bar U Ranch, Alberta; and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in British Columbia. Similar developed national historic sites operated by other agencies include Fort Henry, Ontario; Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Alberta; and McLean Mill in Port Alberni, BC.

Designated historic sites, national and otherwise, comprise two elements: the place itself with its in situ resources, such as archaeological remains, buildings, or other physical relics, and the significance attached to the place. These two elements usually enhance each other, but in some instances, as at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, they are in stark contrast. This former French fortress guarding the entrance to the Gulf of the St Lawrence had been completely demolished by British troops in 1758. The significance of the place was recognized early by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board, which wished to commemorate the role of Louisbourg in the French and British imperial rivalry of the 18th century culminating in the fall of New France. The siege and destruction of Louisbourg was viewed as a chapter in the development of Canada as a British colony. There was a parallel interest in the ruins as a portal to appreciating a past way of life, inspiring a campaign to partially restore the former French settlement. This proposal was encouraged by a wish to build a major tourist attraction in Cape Breton. Through the 1960s a multi-million-dollar project led to the reconstruction of several key buildings. Subsequently, more buildings have been reconstructed and today there are more than 50, which, along with over 100 costumed guides, present Louisbourg as it might have appeared in the summer of 1744. Just beyond the public view, the remains of the British siege works have become overgrown by the surrounding forest.

National historic sites can have meaning on more than one level, their significance can change over time, and they can resonate differently in different segments of the population. Competing interpretations can be attached to many sites; those commemorating the 1885 rebellion have presented a special challenge. At Batoche National Historic Site, Parks Canada has attempted to present multiple voices, showing the significance of the site to Anglo Canadians, French Canadians, Metis, and Cree. More recently, the historic sites program has sought to articulate an official statement of national significance and heritage character through the preparation of an approved commemorative integrity statement. This has brought needed focus to presentation programs at a number of sites.