Brown-John: Local History — its warp and weft preserved by many who deserve recognition

Often entering Essex’s historic old railway station Bill Gay was there to answer questions and softly guide you about.

And there are so many others in Windsor-Essex County who, as much from interest as curiosity, share passions for preserving, recording and protecting the fabric of our collective presence.

So while many others are still active perhaps it is time to recognize a few local historians who have contributed so much to our collective cultural knowledge.

For example, Don and Cathy Wilson who have dedicated themselves to preserving and making more publicly available Windsor’s most historic building the remarkable Baby House.

Walkerville’s noted authors and historians, Chris Edwards and Elaine Weeks, constantly remind us in publications that there has been, and continues to be, a thriving Walkerville community in Windsor.

There is Elise Harding-Davis. She is a remarkable person who possesses a trove of emotion and knowledge pertaining to Black history in an area of Canada where Black history is so significant.

And one impressive local historian is Harrow’s knowledgeable communicator, Chris Carter. Ask Chris a question about almost anything from the roots of the iron works at Olinda to the location of the only remaining 1812 munitions magazine in Essex County and Chris can direct you. And as well to locations of several forts that many residents did not even know existed.

Debra and Robert Honor of Amherstburg can pinpoint significant historical locations and events in that incredible town’s long and fascinating history.