Hamilton-Niagara Region Branch (1960 to 1995)

Founded In 1960, our branch was first known as the Hamilton-Niagara Region Branch and remained active through the 1980s.  During this 30-year period, several individuals served terms as President, the last being David Cuming.  In the early 1990s, Elissa Siroonian played an instrumental role in recruiting new volunteers to transition the Branch into its next phase but sadly passed away in January 2001 at the age of only 38.  Branch activities over the first 35 years included:

• guided and self-guided walking tours, such as the printed pamphlet, “Architectural Walking Tour – Hamilton Core”;
• “Victorian Architecture in Hamilton”, a booklet published in 1967;
• architectural exhibitions;
• a quarterly newsletter;
• articles and branch reports for ACORN;
• advocating for the preservation of endangered heritage buildings and sites;
• two architectural conservation workshops geared to homeowners: a Home Restoration Workshop at the Hamilton Public Library and a second one at Mohawk College;
• Thomas B. McQuesten Awards for Architectural Conservation (for both individuals and buildings). 

Hamilton Region Branch (1995 to present)

The branch underwent a brief hiatus in the early 1990s but was subsequently revived by an enthusiastic group of new volunteers.  In 1995, the name was changed to the Hamilton Region Branch to better reflect the scope of our activities.  In the course of its history, the branch has been actively engaged in the following activities:

• developing and leading architectural walking tours;
• hosting presentations related to the Region’s built heritage;
• curating exhibitions for display at the Art Gallery of Hamilton;
• advocating for the preservation of endangered buildings and sites; 
• contributing articles for publication in ACORN;
• participating in Doors Open Hamilton; 
• in 2004, hosting he first joint conference of the ACO and Community Heritage Ontario (“Advocating for Adaptive Reuse”).