Archives Manager John Aikman wins Ontario Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement
By ROB FAULKNER
Mountain News Photo: John Aikman
John Aikman, the passionate long-time HWDSB Archives Manager and Westfield Heritage Village volunteer, has received the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement.
The award celebrates candidates who have made an exceptional volunteer contribution to heritage conservation over a period of 25 years or more. Aikman has been at Westfield since 1969, in addition to decades of other heritage-related volunteerism and his work at HWDSB.
Due to recent health challenges, John’s son accepted his award last month.
John has been able to combine education and heritage over a long and distinguished career. It all began when John was an outdoor education consultant at the Hamilton Board of Education, where he organized the first school trips to Westfield (then Wentworth Pioneer Village). Students stayed overnight, learning how to card wool, make patchwork quilts, make candles and participate in outdoor activities.
“John is a very worthy recipient of this award as he has shared his time, talent and passion to make our HWDSB Archives the amazing piece of history that it is. We are extremely happy for him as he is so deserving,” said Sharon Stephanian, Superintendent of Leadership & Learning.
In the 1970s and 1980s, John sat on the Hamilton Conservation Authority’s Heritage Sites Advisory Committee, where he oversaw restoration of the log cabin at Valens Lake, the Ingledale house at Fifty Point, the Darnley Mill at Crooks Hollow, the stabilization of the ruins of the Hermitage, the restoration of the Darnley Mill and more.
In the 1980s, John began volunteering at Westfield’s Blacksmith Shop, where he developed programs for blacksmith recruitment and training. He helped restore an early 1800s house that is now the blacksmith’s home. John has also helped at the National Historic Site at Dundurn Castle, redesigning the education program, retraining guides and developing interpretive programs for youth.
“John Aikman has been a powerful influence on the success of Westfield Heritage Village for over 45 years,” Rondalyn Brown, Westfield’s manager, said in a release.
As current Manager of the HWDSB Educational Archives Heritage Centre, John oversees a staff of 30 who take care of Canada’s largest collection of educational records and memorabilia.
Recently, John’s energy has focused on restoring the 1882 S.S. # 5 Barton, now known as the Mohawk Trail School Museum. The one-room schoolhouse has been moved from its prior location to the new Education Centre, and has had extensive renovations in preparation for educational visits including Doors Open Hamilton this year.
“John is an amazing leader who has supported the growth and expansion of our HWDSB Archives,” Stephanian said.
Located at Vincent Massey, the Archives includes a museum space which successfully transports visitors back in time when they walk through the door. Numerous historical artifacts are on display and have been restored to their original beauty through the dedication of volunteers who are supported by John’s leadership. The HWDSB Archives document the history of education in Hamilton Wentworth.
“This would not have been possible without the vision, dedication, hard work and commitment of John Aikman,” Stephanian said. “We value and appreciate all that he has done and continues to do to ensure our history is documented and celebrated.”
Born and raised in Hamilton, John attended local schools and Hamilton Teachers’ College before completing his Bachelor Arts in History and Sociology, Bachelor of Education in Environmental Studies, Masters of Science in Education and Masters of Education.
John has been married to Elaine for 52 years. They have two sons and two grandchildren.
Updated on Thursday, March 03, 2016.