Abbotsford has a rich and diverse history and heritage as expressed though various heritage sites and historic places. The City of Abbotsford’s list of historic sites and Community Heritage Register are included below.
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- The Sumas and Matsqui First Nations are located in the City of Abbotsford. The Sumas First Nation, located within the Sto:lo Traditional Territory is part of the Greater Coast Salish People known as the Sema:th people. The Matsqui First Nation is located on the Fraser River, southeast of Mission on three reserves totaling approximately 419.4 hectares
- The City of Abbotsford is home to the Gur Sikh Gurdwara, the oldest Gurdwara in North America. It was built in 1911 with lumber donated by the Trethewey family and built by early Sikh pioneers.
- Clayburn Village is in a heritage conservation area and contains structures including houses, schoolhouse, church, and general store from the time of the Clayburn Brick Company.
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The City of Abbotsford’s Community Heritage Register was established July 13, 2005, and includes the following sites:
- Trethewey House, 2313 Ware Street (municipally designated: HCA Bylaw 2113, May 4, 1981) Adopted to the Community Heritage Register, July 25, 2005 Statement of Significance 2005-2006
- Clayburn School, 4315 Wright Road (municipally designated: HCA Bylaw 1700, October 11, 1978) Adopted to the Community Heritage Register, July 25, 2005 Statement of Significance 2005-2006
- Clayburn Church, 4280 Wright Road (municipally designated: HCA Bylaw 1535, October 4, 1978) Adopted to the Community Heritage Register, July 25, 2005 Statement of Significance 2005-2006
- Gur Sikh Temple (1911 Sikh Temple), 33089 South Fraser Way (National Historic Site Status, July 2002) Adopted to the Community Heritage Register, July 25, 2005 Statement of Significance 2005-2006
- Old South Poplar School, 32746 Huntingdon, Abbotsford. (listed 2006)
- Former Great Northern Railway Bridge and Embankment, 31580 Maclure Road (Ellwood/Fishtrap Creek Park) Adopted September 15, 2014
- Former Abbotsford Lumber Company Log Dump, 2310 Emerson Street (Mill Lake Park) Adopted September 15, 2014
- A portion of Old Yale Road, also known as the New Westminster-Hope Wagon Road (located approximately from 39180 Old Yale Road to Vye Road at approximately 39623 Old Yale Road) Adopted September 15, 2014
- The Abbotsford Cenotaph, located on the south side of Thunderbird Plaza, Adopted October 5, 2020
Heritage conservation is reflected in Part IV: Make the Plan Work, Policy 4.13 and Part VI: Heritage Conservation Areas of the Official Community Plan.
- Heritage Conservation Act
- Standards and Guidelines for Conservation of Historic Places
- Heritage Alteration Permit
Heritage Conservation Areas are a tool that enables the City to preserve notable heritage assets. A Heritage Alteration Permit is a type of development approval given by the City to alter, or develop, property in a Heritage Conservation Area or properties with Heritage Designation.