Ashley Harper was recognized for her efforts to preserve Ontario’s heritage. The 20-year-old Winchester native, currently studying history at Carleton University, won the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Youth Achievement.
Harper was presented with a plaque and $3,500 bursary at Queen’s Park on February 20. She is a Director with the St. Lawrence Branch of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada (UELAC). Harper also serves as past president of the Chesterville & District Historical Society and volunteers with the Friends of Crysler’s Farm Battlefield.
She says her passion for history started at a young age. Harper noted she got into genealogy at the age of 12, to learn more about her family history, and realized you need the knowledge base to understand the context.
Her long-term goal is to pursue a Masters degree in history and eventually work in a museum.
Stephen McDonald, a fellow UELAC member, nominated Harper for the award. She explained she had no idea about the award until McDonald sent her the letter saying she had won. Harper says she’s grateful just to be nominated and humbled by the win.