For future generations
Islanders honoured by P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation annual awards
SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. Shelly Campbell describes her work with the Bideford Parsonage Museum in Ellerslie as a labour of love.
"When you do something, you do it for the love of it, and you don't really expect to be recognized," said Campbell after receiving P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award at the Eptek Art and Culture Centre in Summerside on Sunday, Feb. 27. "It's just something I love doing – I love the museum."
Campbell worked with the Bideford Parsonage Museum for some 20 years as a special events decorator and curator, beginning when the West Country Historical Society was restoring the building to its original 1894 appearance.
She remains an active member, helping to prepare and close the museum at the beginning and end of each season, among other community volunteer work.
Campbell said she was surprised to be nominated for the award.
"I didn't really know about it until I got the letter," said Campbell, who thanked Wayne and Janice Trowsdale for the award nomination, and Scott Smith for his "instrumental" work with the museum.
P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation executive director Matthew McRae described Campbell as a "tireless community volunteer."
"Shelly has embraced the history and culture of Prince Edward Island, and in particular western P.E.I., and willingly shares her knowledge with enthusiasm," said McRae during the ceremony.
The museum foundation's annual awards capped off the final day of Heritage Week in P.E.I.
Several other awards were handed out at the ceremony and presented by Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry.
Angela Douglas-Banks received the Natural Heritage Activity Award for her work to preserve P.E.I.'s natural heritage, including volunteer roles with several P.E.I. conservation groups.
"(Douglas-Banks') dedication to the Island’s natural heritage, her experience and her vast knowledge have enabled her to make a significant contribution to the preservation of that heritage," said McRae.
The late Ruby Cousins was recognized posthumously with the Award of Honour for her contributions in researching Island history as a teacher and historian.
The Publication of the Year Award went to Katherine Dewar for her book We'll Meet Again: Prince Edward Island Women of the Second World War.
Steven Somers received the Wendell Boyle Performance Award, Alexandria Wood was the Boyde Beck Memorial Bursary recipient and the Boyde Beck Memorial Award went to Brian Pollard.
Several individuals and groups were honoured with Heritage Recognition Awards during the ceremony, which was split into two parts Sunday afternoon due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Marlene Campbell, Phil Culhane Doug, Kelly Edward McKenna, Geraldine Peters, Dave A. Stewart, Crystal Stevens and La Voix Acadienne were recognized with awards during the first part of the ceremony.
During the second part of the ceremony, the Benevolent Irish Society, Richard Pellissier-Lush, Nora MacDonald, Reg Porter and Provincial Realty were honoured with Heritage Recognition Awards.