A Gravenhurst couple has been honoured with a Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award.
Cyril and Marion Fry were honoured for Lifetime Achievement at a ceremony held at Queen’s Park in Toronto.
Mrs. Fry was Chair of the Museum Board of Directors for approximately ten years beginning in the early 1960s, ensuring that artifacts related to the Segwun steamship were kept in good condition.
The Town of Gravenhurst noted, ”After collecting pictures and information for the 100th anniversary of the Town in 1977, Mr. and Mrs. Fry established the Gravenhurst Archives in 1978, an extensive collection of artifacts which forms the history of the Town. They successfully recruited like-minded people who were interested in heritage preservation to form the Gravenhurst Archives Committee under Mrs. Fry’s leadership.”
The Frys were presented the award by the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Harvey Andrew McCue, Chair of the Ontario Heritage Trust.
“The efforts of these recipients have conserved vital pieces of our heritage from which we may learn and mature,” said Dowdeswell. “I thank them for their championing of our past, and their work to shape our future.”
On hand for this special occasion were their son Alastair, daughter Jill and their respective spouses, Gravenhurst Mayor Paul Kelly, District Councillor Sandy Cairns, members of the Gravenhurst Municipal Heritage Committee including Colin Old, Larry Carroll, Carole Anne Simpson, Hank Smith, and Gravenhurst Archives volunteer Judy Humphries.
The ceremony, which included 120 other recipients, took place on February 22nd. The award is presented to individuals, groups, and communities for exceptional contributions to conserving Ontario’s heritage.