About the Historic Sites Committee
Since 1970, the Historic Sites Committee has erected plaques commemorating buildings and sites of historical and architectural merit in London. The purpose of the plaques is to inform Londoners and visitors about the city's history, to interest Londoners in the preservation and appreciation of their heritage and to maintain an easily accessible archive of research materials in the Ivey Family London Room at London Public Library's Central Library. The plaques erected by the Historic Sites Committee are for information purposes only and do not indicate heritage designation.
Members of the Historic Sites Committee are volunteers who have an expertise or interest in local history and are appointed by the London Public Library Board. Funding for the work of the Historic Sites Committee is raised through grants, community contributions and donations. The Historic Sites Committee welcomes suggestions for plaques from members of the community and provides their Historic Sites Committee Guidelines as a helpful starting point.
For additional information and if you have a suggestion for a site for the Committee to research, please email Historic.Sites@lpl.ca
Local Historic Sites Marked by the Committee
Here you will find short histories of the London sites marked by the Historic Sites Committee since 1970. The Historic Sites Committee has recognized 78 London sites with a plaque.
- It can take some time after a plaque has been erected before the history of the site is added to this website.
- Where buildings have been subsequently demolished, the plaques have been re-mounted in the Ivey Family London Room at the Central Library. As well, a few plaques are missing from their sites, and the Committee is working to replace them.
- These brief histories are based on speeches given at plaque unveilings, and on research materials collected about each historic site. These materials are available in the Ivey Family London Room -- an excellent place to discover sources for the study of local history.
- There are also many other London sites that have been marked by various designated heritage bodies. Sites listed here are limited to those recognized by the Historic Sites Committee of the London Public Library Board.
- For additional information and if you have a suggestion for a site for the Committee to research, please email Historic.Sites@lpl.ca
Historic Sites Committee Plaques
Click on a link to learn more about the Historic Site.
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London Cricket Club * coming soon
Other Commemorative Signs and Plaques
From time to time, members of the Historic Sites Committee provide expertise and research support to other organizations and bodies who erect plaques and signs recognizing local people, places and significant events.
Remembering Wonderland Gardens
On June 21, 2026, The City of London, in partnership with the Historic Sites Committee, unveiled commemorative signage in Springbank Park honouring the history of Wonderland Gardens.
New Plaque Unveiled!
On May 9, 2026, the Historic Sites Committee and the London Cricket Club unveiled the Library's 78th plaque, honouring the history of the London Cricket Club.
Learn More in the London Room
Research files for each Historic Sites Committee plaque, and many more local history documents can be found in The Ivey Family London Room at Central Library, which is open to all.
Walking Guide to Historic Sites in London
In 2006, the Historic Sites Committee published their Walking Guide to Historic Sites in London. This guide provides brief histories of the 49 sites marked by the Committee from 1970 through 2000. Print copies of the Walking Guide to Historic Sites in London can be borrowed from many library branches.
The first draft of the Walking Guide was compiled by Eric P. Sheppard while a student in the Public History Master of Arts Program, Department of History, Western University. We acknowledge his hard work, and thank his supervisors, Professors Benjamin Forster and Jan Trimble, and his editorial assistant, David Larlee. The staffs of the Western University Archives, and of the Ivey Family London Room, assisted with research and historical photographs. Rob Turner of the D.B. Weldon Library, Western University, designed the map. Netta Brandon, Glen Curnoe, Vince Gray, Elizabeth Hill, Anita McCallum, Catherine B. McEwen, Bill McGrath, and Elizabeth Russell likewise gave invaluable assistance.
The final manuscript was edited by members of the Historic Sites Committee. This has been a collaborative effort and the Committee welcomes notice of any errors. Funding for this project was provided by Landmarks London - Heritage and Museum Network. Publication of the Guide fits with the mission of Landmarks London to establish the City of London as a well-known and highly valued destination for cultural and heritage tourism.
Since the original manuscript was prepared, the Committee has erected additional plaques. The histories of those sites are included within this online version.