Newmarket's Athol Hart honoured for heritage preservation

Newmarket Era
March 6, 2014
By Chris Simon

Athol Hart has dedicated his life to heritage preservation.

The York Region resident received the 2013 Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award during a ceremony at Queen’s Park last month.

He was among 18 people given the Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteer contributions to the conservation of community heritage over a period of at least 25 years.

“It’s been a lifetime’s work,” he said, sitting in his heritage home. “My work has been more than just local.”

Mr. Hart’s efforts extend to the Town of Newmarket and the local First Nations community. He was a Mnjikaning elder for many years and remains devoted to preserving the customs and traditions of the Chippewas First Nation.

He also worked with Parks Canada staff to study historic fish weirs near Orillia. The initiative led to the dams being designated as a national historic site.

They’re very important because they show that actual aboriginal managing of land and resources has been going on for 10,000 years, Mr. Hart said. “There are very few examples that can show that progress.”

He was also integral in getting the first wetland designated in Newmarket.

“That was significant,” he said. “It needed to be preserved. Heritage refers not only to built, but also natural.”

And as the town’s heritage committee chairperson, Mr. Hart’s efforts led to the formation of an historic conservation district on lower south Main Street.

“This downtown is the heart of our community and the main thing that makes Newmarket different from every other town around here,” he said.

Vaughan’s Kenneth Maynard and Aurora’s Helen Roberts were also honoured at the ceremony. Mr. Maynard has contributed to heritage preservation in Woodbridge for about 47 years and is a longtime member of the Vaughan Historical Society.

Ms Roberts has volunteered with the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum, the Devins Orchards and Gibson House Museum in Toronto. She is also an active member of the Aurora Historical Society and served as an Aurora Cultural Centre director.

“Each year, volunteers play an integral role in conserving the heritage of this province,” Lt.-Gov. David Onley said in a media release. “These dedicated individuals have made outstanding contributions to keeping our history alive for the benefit of future generations.”

The awards are administered by the Ontario Heritage Trust. The provincial government agency is dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting history across Ontario.

Nominations are submitted annually by schools and municipal, regional, First Nation and Métis community councils.