Local historian Richard MacLeod is once again putting his twist on the Coldest Night of the Year campaign in support of Inn From the Cold, with a heritage walk on Feb. 26 to raise funds for the Newmarket shelter.
It is a tradition for the History Hound, as he is known, that began the first year he participated in Inn From the Cold’s fundraising walk.
“As I was walking along, I noticed people were gathering around me and they were saying ‘could you tell us something about this building and that building?’ So I thought maybe this is something that we could do,” MacLeod said.
The next year he organized a walk for a group, starting at the same time as the rest of the Coldest Night of the Year walkers but only doing a two-kilometre walk that toured some historic sites in downtown Newmarket. MacLeod has been doing it ever since.
Every year he chooses a different topic to explore and this year he will focus on heritage properties in the area between Lorne Avenue, Prospect Street, Water Street, and Davis Drive.
“Every year we try to do something a little bit different,” MacLeod said, adding that past participants can still learn something new.
He said he normally tries to keep the group small, but usually attracts around 25 people who are eager to explore Newmarket’s history.
“People are interested in that kind of thing. They’ve always wondered about a house in their neighborhood or a house that they think looks pretty cool,” he said.
Due to COVID-19, he opted to do virtual tours last year, but this year he is hoping he will be able to hold the heritage walk in person. Inn From The Cold is currently planning an in-person walk, according to its website.
MacLeod said he hopes that the COVID-19 situation will allow them to safely get together since it is outdoors and participants can be distanced.
“People need to get out. Do a little walking, get a little exercise,” he said.
Anyone who wants to participate in the heritage walk has to join the History Hounders team on Inn From The Cold’s fundraising campaign. There is no registration fee but participants are encouraged to fundraise and support the shelter.
