Susan Ratcliffe

2025 Recipient of the Eric Arthur Lifetime Achievement Award

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The contributions of Susan Ratcliffe to the conservation and celebration of built heritage in Ontario has been enormous. Over the past eighteen years with the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario she has been: Founding President, ACO Guelph Wellington (2006-2024); President, Provincial ACO (2011-2013); Chair, ACO Awards Committee (2010-2015); Creator (2015-2016), ACO Heritage Real Estate Course (which confronted the myth that “heritage listing and heritage conservation districts reduces the resale value of historic properties and communities”, where the reverse is more often true); Chair of the Acorn Editorial Board for 19 years; and Member of the Editorial Committee for 80 for 80: Celebrating Eighty Years of Architectural Conservancy Ontario. 

During Susan’s Presidency, ACO collaborated with Prof Robert Shipley’s University of Waterloo Heritage Resource Centre in a study which proved that people who live in Heritage Conservation Districts are highly appreciative of them. The HCD study was led by Kayla Jonas, who continued to work with Susan to create ACO’s NextGen of Students and Emerging Professionals, the first NextGen Design Charrette and the committee that produced 80 for 80. 

Endlessly active in the community, Susan has been: Member, Community Editorial Board, Guelph Mercury (and frequent contributor on heritage); Organiser of Doors Open Guelph (2002-present); Coordinator and tour-leader, Jane’s Walks, Guelph; Defender before Guelph and Elora City Councils and Grand River Conservation Authority of Guelph Correctional Centre and Ontario Reformatory Lands, Cutten House in Guelph, views of the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate on “Catholic Hill”, Niska Road Bridge, Edwards log house, Fergus, First School House, Elora; and Organiser, with National Trust for Canada, Top Off the Petrie (which raised $90,000 for restoration of the historic drugstore’s metal façade and replication of its mortar and pestle finial).

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