An issue that occupies my mind as I get older is exactly how we will be most effective in our efforts to preserve our local heritage for coming generations.
I have found myself racing against time to share as much local heritage information with the community as I can while I am still able to do so.
I have to wonder exactly what the future may bring, will historical societies and heritage preservation still be a priority for the next generation and, if so, what form will it take?
An historical society, or heritage committee, is an organization dedicated to preserving, collecting, researching, and interpreting historical information or items.
These societies were created as a way to preserve our past and to help our future generations understand their local heritage.
Historical societies often vary in specialization, with focuses ranging from specific geographical areas such as countries or towns, railways, ethnic and religious groups, to genealogy, pioneer history, and the preservation of antiques or historic buildings.
Often, many of these organizations, such as our own Heritage Newmarket Committee, ensure that historic architecture is preserved/restored, and period houses are maintained. This is done in association with the town council essentially through bylaw enforcement.
It is believed that historical societies originated in Western Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries and were typically formed as private societies for “lovers of antiquity".
These like-minded groups gathered family papers, books, and artifacts from their personal collections which eventually led to the creation of the first historical repositories.
This original vision of preserving, collecting, making resources accessible, as well as communicating manuscripts or publications which promote the study of local and national heritage is still with us, but are they thriving?
During the 19th and 20th century, societies became more and more democratic in their membership policies, however, large groups of people were still being excluded.
It was thought that history was made by the elite, reflecting their lives and their accomplishments.
Today, these historical societies are largely seen as "institutions with a capacity or obligation to serve the public".
With the arrival of the early 20th century, there was significant growth in the public’s interest in local history.
This was manifested in our growing concern for the historic preservation of our towns and cities that were going through architectural and demographic changes.
In 1888, this increase in our appreciation of our heritage was reflected in the founding of the Pioneer and Historical Association of Ontario, which soon became the Ontario Historical Society.
Although the accomplishments of white men were still the focus of the mid-century historical societies, previously neglected groups such as ethnic minorities and women began to gain more and more traction within academic circles.
While the history of historical societies in Canada has often responded to the changing trends within the discipline of history itself, it has not always responded to the evolution and changes in social norms at the same speed.
The public inclusion movement is a great example of how historical societies were sometimes challenged with juggling competing preservation priorities and liberal access policies.
The publishing of journals and maintaining museums is yet another way in which the historical societies showcased their collections, research, and fields of study.
Many of the transactions and papers read at society meetings have been documented and published by the societies.
People such as Mr. Terry Carter, Mrs. Elman Campbell, and Mr. George Luesby have been instrumental locally in the production of such publications which are currently available through our local Society, I might add.
At times throughout our history, certain records were criticized and not always given the attention that was due to them.
Early reports of the Canadian Historical Associations contained criticism of the work and publications of many local historians and local historical societies, often stating that "half of the publications of Canadian historical societies could be removed from our library shelves with no appreciable loss to learning".
The preservation of our history is often a tedious affair, thankless, and often ignored by the very communities it sought to highlight.
An ongoing issue for historical societies has centred on the availability of financial support from outside sources and contributors, something that plays a vital role in the life of any historical society.
Various methods such as donations, selling memberships, annual funds, corporate gifts, internships, volunteering, and renting specific historic spaces continue to help keep these non-profit societies alive and growing.
Today, there is a move toward government funding or bringing the historical society within the umbrella of the government bureaucracy, a department within the town’s political organism.
Towns such as Aurora and Georgina have gone this route and I am told that the jury is still out as to its relative costs and benefits.
Will Newmarket move toward this structure? We shall have to wait and see.
While historical societies form in various ways, there is usually a small group of people who lay the foundation for the formal organization of the society.
In an earlier article, I document the people upon whose shoulders our museum and historical society rest.
Every organization creates a statement of purpose, a constitution and bylaws, all part of the process of charting a historical society.
These same organizations must revisit their mission statement and ensure that the organization remains relevant.
One of the key elements in the future success of any heritage organization is the need to remain relevant.
How do you attract the younger generation? How do you be proactive within the community or should one just sit back and wait for people to approach you?
What part does technology play? How can one deliver the information to the community most effectively?
I have taken to social media to spread the word. I share all the information I have in my archival materials freely. I go wherever and whenever I can to talk about our rich local heritage, sharing my journey of discovery.
The question remains as to the future guardianship of our history.
Does it require a single, organized unit charged with its stewardship or is it each of our responsibilities to pass the knowledge along, to nurture the past and to document it all for our children and grandchildren?
That is what I have chosen to do, rightly or wrongly.
I just hope that when the time comes, there are people lined up to grab the torch and carry it forward.
Yes, it is indeed on my mind.
NewmarketToday.ca brings you this weekly feature about our town's history in partnership with Richard MacLeod, the History Hound, a local historian for more than 40 years. He conducts heritage lectures and walking tours of local interest, as well as leads local oral history interviews.
You can contact the History Hound at [email protected].
