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Women's History
On the advice of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC), the Minister of Environment designates sites, persons and events of national historic significance. A site may be designated by virtue of its association with a significant aspect of our Canadian story. Persons may be designated if they have, individually or as a representative of a group, made an outstanding and lasting contribution to national history. An event must represent a defining action, episode, movement or experience in Canada’s past.
Women's College Hospital, Toronto
© Women's College Hospital Archives |
Since the HSMBC was founded in 1919, some 891 sites, 577 people and 355 events have been designated of national significance. These are normally marked by a plaque although many of the sites are interpreted more extensively. Only a small number of these commemorations relate directly to women. To more fully represent Canadian society, we are making efforts to enhance women’s presence in the family of national historic sites, persons and events. Some of the more monumental and memorable accomplishments of our foremothers have now been publicly celebrated, including:
- Women’s College Hospital in Toronto where medical education for women and health care sensitive to women’s needs was pioneered. (Featured in a HistoryLands TV production)
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Walker Theatre, Winnipeg
© Parks Canada / Ian Doull
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the Walker Theatre in Winnipeg where Nellie McClung and her fellow suffragists staged the influential mock parliament where roles were reversed and men begged women for the franchise.
- the Persons Case and Winning the Vote which paved the way for women to enter political life.
Suffragette in Britain, ca. 1910, selling the paper "Votes for Women"
© National Film Board of Canada / Photothèque collection/Library and Archives of Canada / PA-143958 |
Persons Case (Tablet to the "Alberta Five" Unveiled)
© Parks Canada / NAC/C – 054523
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Recent designations have tended to focus on women’s individual and collective achievements in the social, educational, health and cultural areas. From the famed author L.M. Montgomery to the Grey Nuns, to the many nurses whose accomplishments are marked at five nurses’ residences across Canada, women’s historic achievements are beginning to be recognized.
Learn more about these exciting national historic sites, persons and events. For each designation we have provided the name, province, key dates, relevant system plan theme and sub-theme and a brief description of the reason for designation, divided by the following categories:
More information is available through features such as This Week in History, Backgrounders and Commemorating Canada's History. See our Learn More Section below for more details.
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