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In the beginning . . . the first provincial plaque

By

The Honourable James K. Bartleman

Community

Published Date: 15 Feb 2007

Community

By The Honourable James K. Bartleman

Fifty years ago – on a fine fall afternoon, September 26, 1956 – I witnessed the unveiling of Ontario’s first provincial plaque in my hometown of Port Carling. We knew this event was really important because all the students at our four-room school got the day off to attend.

Arriving at the Port Carling Locks, I saw the veiled plaque on its pedestal. Dignitaries sat in curved rows of chairs on the grass as a crowd gathered nearby. Local leaders were there also – MPP Boyer, Reeve Bennett and Judge Thomas – and the special guest was The Honourable Leslie Frost, then midway through his 12-year term as Ontario’s Premier, accompanied by The Honourable William Griesinger, Ontario Minister of Public Works.

Speeches recounted the story of how settlers had arrived at the local Chippewa Indian Village in 1865 and four years later renamed the place Port Carling for The Honourable John Carling - Ontario’s first Minister of Public Works and Agriculture - who had ordered construction of the locks that proved so vital in opening up the area to farmers, lumbermen and (later) tourists.

When the blue and gold plaque was finally unveiled, and the villagers got to move closer, we discovered that story – our story – recorded in perpetuity for all to read. As part of the occasion, Island Park – the site of the plaque – was officially opened, and the dignitaries then posed for photographs. Among them stood Miss Elizabeth Penson of Port Carling, who had taught Mr. Frost as a schoolboy in Orillia.

As a schoolboy myself, I never dreamed that I would one day be invited to unveil other blue and gold plaques in communities across Ontario. But I did know that I was fascinated by history and by the stories that these plaques tell. That fascination has never left me. I applaud the Ontario Heritage Trust for drawing attention – through its over 1,200 plaques – to the key people, places, events and achievements that have made this province what it is today. What a wonderful way to celebrate our heritage!

“As a boy, I witnessed the unveiling of the first blue and gold provincial plaque and was tremendously impressed. As a lifelong student of history, I applaud the Ontario Heritage Trust for highlighting significant stories from our past to raise awareness and appreciation of the rich heritage we share as Ontarians.”

Port Carling plaque unveiling, from left: Mr. R.J. Boyer, MPP, Muskoka; Miss Elizabeth Penson; The Honourable Leslie Frost, Premier; The Honourable Bryan Cathcart; The Honourable William Griesinger; and Reeve Robert Bennett.