The Jeanne Clarke History Awards made some history of their own this year. For the first time in the 26-year existence of the Prince George local history citations, they allowed a tie in the Service category. Two trophies are typically handed out annually by the trustees of the Prince George Public Library, but this time there were three.
The two honoured in the Service category were an individual, Barbara Hall, and a group, The Prince George Heritage Commission.
The winner in the Publication category was the Council of Seniors for their book Life Before The Pulp Mill. "[The book chronicled] the experiences of the early pioneers who settled in the city before the pulp mills were built during the 1960s, transforming Prince George forever," said library spokesman Neil Godbout. "June Chamberland, Bev Christensen and Luci Redmond served on the book's editorial committee on behalf of the seniors council."
Godbout outlined the difficult choice between Hall's work and the efforts of the commission, ultimately allowing the draw.
"The Prince George Heritage Commission was formed in 2008 and has done important work since then, including the installation of signs throughout downtown at important historical landmarks" he explained. "The commission also drafted the Heritage Context Study to help current and future planners and decision makers with heritage preservation efforts in Prince George."
As for Hall, he explained, "[She], for the past 15 years, has been active with the Education Heritage Committee with the Prince George Retired Teachers Association. She has been instrumental in the creation and maintenance of a growing archive of material chronicling the history of education in the Prince George area."
The Jeanne Clarke History Awards, established to bring attention to outstanding contributions in the preservation of local history, were handed out Sunday night at an evening fete at the library's Bob Harkins Branch. Prince George Public Library board chair Philip Mantler was the host of the reception.
