Historic Places Days: “Every Place Communicates a Story” Photo Contest
Are you up for a challenge and a chance to win $1,000?
About the Photo Contest
Contest Runs July 11-19, 2026
Are you ready for a creative challenge and a chance to win $1,000?
From July 11–19, 2026, the National Trust for Canada invites you to take part in Historic Places Days through the “Every Place Communicates a Story” Photo Contest.
Capture a historic place that matters to you and share the story it tells for a chance to win one of 25 prizes, including:
1) A grand prize of $1,000 for you and $1,000 for the historic site you feature
2) Three bonus prizes of $500
3) Twenty-one passes, subscriptions, memberships
With hundreds of historic sites and events open across Canada this summer, this is your chance to explore, connect, and use your lens to tell us about the places that matter to you.
What you need to know
Take a photo at a historic site of your choice and tell us in the captions the story your photo is communicating.
Submissions can take many forms: photos of the site that highlight its history and character; snapshots of you and your loved ones experiencing the place and capturing a personal connection; even photos that show how natural heritage landscapes and heritage sites support living ecosystems and function as habitats for endangered species. Photos might also document cultural traditions, community gatherings, or quiet, everyday moments that bring a place to life. The possibilities are endless!
New for 2026! This year we are working with Canadian Influencers to spread the word about Historic Places Days. Click here to check out who we’re working with!
How to Enter
- Post your photo on Instagram or Facebook using #HPDPhotoContest and #HistoricPlacesDays
- Tag and follow @nationaltrustca
- Tag the historic place (if applicable)
- If you heard about the contest through an influencer/creator, tag them too
- In your caption, share the story your photo tells
- Check the Historic Places Days map to see if your site is registered – or register it yourself for free. If you are registering a historic site yourself, please include a history of the site in the site description.
Entries that do not complete all requirements may be deemed ineligible.
To win
Complete the entry requirements before the contest closes on July 19, 2026. National Trust staff will collect all eligible entries for review by a jury. From these submissions, 25 finalists will be selected and entered into a random draw to determine the prize winners. The draw will take place on July 25, 2026.
The jury will be judging submissions based on four criteria:
- Eligibility – Entry meets all contest requirements (hashtags, tagging, and submission rules.
- Storytelling – The photo clearly communicates a story about the historic place, supported by the caption.
- Originality – The image is original content created by the participant.
- Quality – The photo is clear and well-composed
All 25 finalists will be featured in a photo mosaic on the Historic Places Days website.
Grand prize
One grand prize winner will receive:
- $1,000 for the photographer
- $1,000 for the historic site featured in the winning entry
The $1,000 awarded to the historic site must be directed to a non-profit, charitable organization, or Indigenous organization associated with the site. The site must also be registered on the Historic Places Days map. If the site is not registered at the time of the draw, it must be registered before receiving the prize.
Additional prizes
- 3 x $500 cash prizes
- 7 x Parks Canada Discovery Passes
- 7 x Canada’s History magazine 1-year subscriptions
- 7 x National Trust for Canada 1-year memberships
Additional details
- By entering, you give the National Trust for Canada permission to use your content for promotional purposes, including social media, website, and print
- You may submit multiple entries throughout the contest period
- A maximum of one (1) prize may be awarded per finalist
- To qualify for the prize draw, entries must be an original photo submitted by the participant. Entries generated solely through resharing content are not eligible
Contest Rules & Regulations:
