As our fundraising efforts to unlock the full $193,000 investment from the Government of Canada get underway, the Soudack family has made an extraordinarily generous gift of $18,000 towards the restoration of the Willowbank Manor House. Thanks to the matching commitment through Parks Canada, their gift will effectively become $36,000. “We are proud to support Willowbank’s restoration campaign, helping to secure the future of this remarkable School and site, and the community

Photo and sketch of deteriorating masonry, sketch of planned internal firestair (Julian Smith) Willowbank has secured a commitment of up to $193,000 from the Government of Canada through Parks Canada to support two critical projects at the Willowbank National Historic Site: the stabilization and restoration of the Manor House’s northwest wall and the construction of a new internal fire stair. The funding is being provided through the National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage

Willowbank, April 2026, Alumni Homecoming event It is an exciting time for the School of Restoration Arts, and we're delighted to share some recent developments from across the Willowbank community. For those considering joining us, we are also still accepting applications for our three-year Heritage Conservation Diploma beginning this September. If you are passionate about heritage conservation, traditional craft, sustainability and the future of our built environment, we wo

Sam Trigila on scaffolding during the facade restoration of First Canadian Place We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Sam Trigila, CAHP, CEO of Clifford Restoration , as Chair of Willowbank’s Strategic Philanthropic Capital Campaign Committee. Sam is a respected leader in Canada’s heritage restoration sector, bringing decades of hands-on craftsmanship and executive leadership to this important role. Sam began his caree r with Clifford Restoration as a summer student at the ripe

The third floor at Willowbank - currently inaccessible as a much-needed learning space until a fire stair is installed As a not-for-profit and a Career College, Willowbank occupies a unique and somewhat awkward space making us ineligible for some funding opportunities as we technically exist in both spaces. However, in contrast to other Career Colleges, we are a registered charity and rely entirely on the generosity of our community to deliver the Heritage Conservation Progra

Join Willowbank School of Restoration Arts for our Virtual Open House on Tuesday, March 31 at 8:00 PM EST and discover a one-of-a-kind approach to heritage conservation education. This is the perfect opportunity to explore our Heritage Conservation Diploma, hear directly from alumnus Garrett France-Wyllie, and learn more about student life and career pathways—just as we celebrate the 20th year of our program. Register here At Willowbank, education extends far beyond traditio

Willowbank is accepting applications to its world-renowned Heritage Conservation Program, with a September 2026 start date. Are you curious to learn about North America's leading School in heritage conservation, where apprenticeship-style learning in both hands-on and theory is delivered by 60+ heritage professionals from Canada and abroad? Prospective students are invited to join our virtual open house to learn more about our three-year Heritage Conservation Program, founded

As Willowbank approaches the 20th anniversary of the School of Restoration Arts , we are thrilled to share our 2024–2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of renewed energy, strengthened leadership, and a bold vision for the future. This past year marks the beginning of an exciting new era for Willowbank. With deeper connections across our students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community, the School is building momentum while remaining grounded in its mission to train th

Brett Sherlock Lecture Reminder: Personal Stories and the Relationships behind the Landmark Auctions of HH Princess Salimah Aga Khan, Dame Elizabeth Taylor and HRH The Princess Margaret. Much of the conversation in the cultural heritage field today centres on the relationship between the tangible and the intangible. How do the objects, buildings, and landscapes we protect connect with the stories, skills, and traditions that give them meaning? It’s a question that continues t

Last week, Willowbank had the pleasure of hosting the @NiagaraOnTheLakeMuseum “Tiny Museum” as part of Treaties Week. Education programmer Gwen Anderson brought the mobile exhibit to schools across Niagara-on-the-Lake, culminating in a visit with about 90 Grade 7 and 8 students from St. Davids Public School. Anderson introduced students to the area's rich Indigenous history, exploring local treaties. Students engaged with these objects, making connections between past and pre