Pamela Minns, a leader in Niagara historic-site preservation, is set to receive a prestigious regional honour.
At a Friday event, Minns will be named this year’s recipient of the ‘International Women’s Day Award’.
The presentation takes place at the ‘International Women’s Day Luncheon’ at the Americana Conference Centre and Resort in Niagara Falls.
The awards, now in their 15th year, are spearheaded by the Women in Niagara council of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.
Minns, a Thorold resident, has long been active in the preservation of historical sites the region.
She is a veteran volunteer member with Heritage Thorold and helped with the designation and preservation of sites in that city, including the former Thorold Post Office, the historic former L.G. Lorriman School, and Front Street streetscapes.
Minns said she got into historic preservation after retiring from Domtar Fine Papers, where she’d worked for 39 years as a secretary.
In the background, she’d acquired an interest in history through an antique collection hobby.
“Thorold, at that time, was just starting to exit from its past as an industrial town into an new era,” she said in a Thursday e-mail interview.
“What gives our cities and towns their distinctive character is their history, traditions and the heritage buildings which have been preserved.”
Minns said following this philosophy “makes our communities unique, appealing and livable.”
Meanwhile, international tourists are also gravitating more to “cultural heritage experiences” featuring archaeological treasures, local festivals and events, she said.
“Allowing our heritage buildings to deteriorate and possibly require demolition, is not good for our environment and is certainly not a wise use of our resources.
“What we have today we have inherited from the past and we are borrowing it from the future — it is a stewardship and we have a responsibility to leave it in good condition – even better than we found it.”
Mishka Balsom, president and CEO of the Greater Niagara Chamber, said Minns “recognizes the value of heritage and has volunteered endlessly for this cause.
“Having hundreds of people from across Niagara acknowledging her contributions will be a special moment for all of us.
Last year, more than 400 attended the chamber council’s International Women’s Day, which recognizes inspiring local women who demonstrate top leadership qualities.
WIN’s International Women’s Day event attracted over 400 attendees from across Niagara last year.
Erica Ehm — creator of Canada’s largest independent online magazine YummyMummyClub.ca — is the distinguished guest speaker for the event.
Women In Niagara represents more than 18,000 women in business across Niagara. It is a Council of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, with a mission to foster the growth and success of women in business in the region.
Its luncheon is jointly sponsored by PenFinancial Credit Union and Meridian Credit Union and is being held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tickets are $60, plus tax for members. For details and registration visit www.gncc.com
donfraser@postmedia.com
Twitter: @don_standard
Original article: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2016/03/03/honouring-a-leader-in-historic-site-preservation
