{"id":679,"date":"2021-05-11T23:16:58","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T03:16:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/website.hampstead.penega.dev\/?page_id=679"},"modified":"2026-04-30T08:20:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T12:20:50","slug":"history-and-heritage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/town\/history-and-heritage\/","title":{"rendered":"History and Heritage"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"679\" class=\"elementor elementor-679 elementor-302\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5433e6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c5433e6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e568021 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e568021\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Origins, evolution, and identity of the Town of Hampstead<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86ba67c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"86ba67c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5>Founded in 1914, the Town of Hampstead was developed according to the nineteenth-century garden city model. This approach emphasized low-density residential development, distinctive architecture, generous green spaces and curved streets designed to discourage through traffic.<\/h5><h5>Originally a wooded area primarily accessible via Queen Mary Road, Hampstead evolved through deliberate planning that prioritized both community character and quality of life.<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb76762 elementor-widget elementor-widget-social_share\" data-id=\"eb76762\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"social_share.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"share-module\">\n            <span>Share<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"#\" data-network=\"facebook\">\n                    <i class=\"fa-brands fa-facebook\"><\/i>\n                <\/a>\n                                        <a href=\"#\" data-network=\"linkedin\">\n                    <i class=\"fa-brands fa-linkedin\"><\/i>\n                <\/a>\n                                        <a href=\"#\" data-network=\"email\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-envelope\"><\/i>\n                <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n        <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n            document.querySelectorAll('.share-module a').forEach(link => {\n                link.addEventListener('click', function (e) {\n                    e.preventDefault();\n\n                    const url = encodeURIComponent(window.location.href);\n                    const title = encodeURIComponent(document.title);\n\n                    let shareUrl = '';\n\n                    switch (this.dataset.network) {\n                        case 'facebook':\n                            shareUrl = `https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=${url}`;\n                            break;\n\n                        case 'twitter':\n                            shareUrl = `https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=${url}&text=${title}`;\n                            break;\n\n                        case 'linkedin':\n                            shareUrl = `https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=${url}`;\n                            break;\n\n                        case 'email':\n                            shareUrl = `mailto:?subject=${title}&body=${url}`;\n                            const mailLink = document.createElement(\"a\");\n                            mailLink.href = shareUrl;\n                            mailLink.click(); \/\/ Triggers the system mail client\n                            break;\n                    }\n\n                    if (shareUrl.indexOf('http') === 0) {\n                        window.open(shareUrl, '_blank', 'width=600,height=400');\n                    }\n                });\n            });\n        <\/script>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72a2d53 elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"72a2d53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 6\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/27-Northcote-Road-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"27 Northcote Road\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 6\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/50-Merton-Road-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"50 Merton Road\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 6\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Merton-Crescent-Histoire-150x150.webp\" alt=\"Merton Crescent Histoire\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 6\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Dufferin-Histoire-150x150.webp\" alt=\"Dufferin Histoire\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"5 of 6\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Histoire-Ecole-Publique-150x150.webp\" alt=\"Histoire E\u0301cole Publique\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"6 of 6\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cote-St-Luc-Randall-150x150.webp\" alt=\"Cote St Luc Randall\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08d8d25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"08d8d25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Founders and Incorporation<\/h2><p>Hampstead\u2019s establishment is attributed to eight visionary businessmen who structured the development of the territory. Sir Herbert Holt, engineer and first president of the Hampstead Land and Construction Company, played a central role. The Town was officially incorporated on February 19, 1914, following the adoption of Bill 59 by the Qu\u00e9bec Legislature.<\/p><h2>Development and Municipal Autonomy<\/h2><p>The first Council meeting took place on April 7, 1914, under founding Mayor James Baillie. Early efforts focused on establishing essential infrastructure, including water and sewer systems.<\/p><p>Despite annexation attempts in 1916 and 1924, Hampstead maintained its municipal independence. By the 1920s, strict building regulations and the creation of an architectural advisory committee reflected a strong commitment to preserving the Town\u2019s distinctive character.<\/p><h2>Expansion and Modernization<\/h2><p>Beginning in the 1930s, Hampstead experienced steady growth. The introduction of public transportation and carefully regulated residential development allowed expansion while maintaining planning integrity and community standards.<\/p><h2>An Evolving Community<\/h2><p>Throughout the twentieth century, Hampstead\u2019s population evolved significantly, reflecting broader demographic changes across the Montr\u00e9al region. Cultural and institutional diversity now form an integral part of the Town\u2019s identity and vitality.<\/p><h2>Town Hall<\/h2><p>Built in 1916 by James Alexander Baillie, the current Town Hall is one of the earliest residences constructed in Hampstead. Donated to the Town in 1942, it has since served as the seat of municipal administration and remains an important heritage landmark.<\/p><h2>Twin City<\/h2><p>Since 1978, Hampstead has been twinned with Kiryat Shemonah in northern Israel, symbolizing enduring cultural and community ties based on resilience and solidarity.<\/p><h2>Mayors of Hampstead<\/h2><p>Since its founding, Hampstead has been led by several mayors who contributed to its institutional stability and development. Jeremy Levi currently serves as Mayor.<\/p><table><tbody><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\"><strong>Mayor<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\"><strong>\u00a0\u00a0From \u2013 To<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\">James BAILLIE<\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\">1914 \u2013 1923<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\">James A. BAILLIE<\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\">1924 \u2013 1927<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\">William S. LIGHTHALL<\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\">1928 \u2013 1929<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\">James A. BAILLIE<\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\">1930 \u2013 1931<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\">Archibald F. BYERS<\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\">1932 \u2013 1934<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\">Vincent E. SCULLY<\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\">1935<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\">Harland G. PARSONS<\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\">1936 \u2013 1947<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\">Lyman I. PLAYFAIR<\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\">1948 \u2013 1964<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\">Stuart M. FINLAYSON<\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\">1964 \u2013 1974<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\">Irving. L. ADESSKY<\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\">1974 \u2013 2001<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\">William STEINBERG<\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\">2006 \u2013 2021<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 24px;\"><td style=\"height: 24px;\">Jeremy Levi<\/td><td style=\"height: 24px;\">2022 \u2013 Present<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><h2>Protection of Built Heritage<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem;\">Following amendments to the <\/span>Cultural Heritage Act<span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem;\">, the Town participated in a <\/span>pilot project in the summer of 2022<span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem;\">, coordinated by the City of Montr\u00e9al, aimed at inventorying buildings constructed before 1940 that present heritage value.<\/span><\/p><div><p>Surveys were conducted primarily from public streets, in accordance with provincial guidelines.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66cefe2 elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"66cefe2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/mtl.ged.montreal.ca\/constellio\/?collection=mtlca&#038;portal=REPDOCVDM#!displayDocument\/00000113359\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">View the List of Buildings with Heritage Value<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21fe6d6a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"21fe6d6a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e2be481 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5e2be481\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">These pages might interest you<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63142947 elementor-widget elementor-widget-related_post\" data-id=\"63142947\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"related_post.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row narrower related-posts-container\"><div class=\"col-lg-4 col-md-6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/town\/democratic-life\/municipal-council\/\" class=\"related-post-item\"><div class=\"related-post-item-image\"><\/div><div class=\"related-post-item-content\"><h5>Municipal Council<\/h5><div class=\"related-post-item-description\">Political leadership, local governance, and accountability The Town of Hampstead\u2019s Municipal Council is composed of...<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"col-lg-4 col-md-6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/town\/municipal-administration\/\" class=\"related-post-item\"><div class=\"related-post-item-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/townshall_2020_gp-WEB-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Municipal Administration\"><\/div><div class=\"related-post-item-content\"><h5>Municipal Administration<\/h5><div class=\"related-post-item-description\">Rigorous governance, and accessible local services for residents. The municipal administration of Hampstead operates within...<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"col-lg-4 col-md-6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/town\/new-residents\/\" class=\"related-post-item\"><div class=\"related-post-item-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/detail-hampstead_2020_gp_2-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"New Residents\"><\/div><div class=\"related-post-item-content\"><h5>New Residents<\/h5><div class=\"related-post-item-description\">Welcome to Hampstead Welcome to Hampstead. As a residential municipality of human scale, Hampstead is...<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Origins, evolution, and identity of the Town of Hampstead Founded in 1914, the Town of Hampstead was developed according to the nineteenth-century garden city model. This approach emphasized low-density residential development, distinctive architecture, generous green spaces and curved streets designed to discourage through traffic. Originally a wooded area primarily accessible via Queen Mary Road, Hampstead evolved through deliberate planning that prioritized both community character and quality of life. Partager Founders and Incorporation Hampstead\u2019s establishment is attributed to eight visionary businessmen who structured the development of the territory. Sir Herbert Holt, engineer and first president of the Hampstead Land and Construction<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":62898,"parent":2057,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-679","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/679","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=679"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/679\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2057"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62898"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/refonte.hampstead.penega.dev\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}