Simcoe County Historical Association

Preserving the Past, In the Present, For the Future

Deb Crawford – President

Deb has spent all of her working career as a public service manager, beginning in the 1970’s with federal government departments delivering individual and community based programs. In 2007, many of those same programs were transferred to the Province of Ontario at which point, Deb became an employee of the Province of Ontario and also became responsible for delivering a number of provincial government programs.
It wasn’t until celebrating her retirement after 42 years of public service, that Deb had the chance to step back and being to explore and genuinely appreciate the history of the buildings and landscapes in Innisfil and Simcoe County.
Looking for something new and different post retirement, Deb became involved in a number of volunteer committees, but it was the invitation to be a member of the “Innisfil Heritage Advisory Committee” that began a new quest for knowledge.
She has since learned about the conservation of heritage properties through researching and documenting properties added to the heritage register. As well she advocated for the reuse of two properties under development. She continues to be a strong voice and defender of the Cookstown Heritage Conservation District.
Deb’s search for knowledge, connections, advice and stakeholder expertise led her to the Architectural Conservancy Ontario in 2018. Deb has been a member of the Government and Community Relations Committee since 2020, and chair since spring 2022. Deb has been a Director with the SCHA since 2018. In 2022 she assumed the role of editor of the “News and views” quarterly newsletter and coordinator of the “Speaker Series”.

 

 

Simcoe County Historical Association Land Acknowledgement

In recognition of those who walked this land before us, Simcoe County Historical Association acknowledges that we gather on the ancestral
territory of the Anishinaabek Nations: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi, who collectively are known as the Three Fires Confederacy. We remember
too the people of the Wendat who once made this land their home. We acknowledge with regret that in the past we have not lived in harmony
with the Indigenous People of Turtle Island and our relationship has not been one of true friendship based on honesty, generosity, and mutual respect.
Today we recognize the enduring presence of the people of the Chippawa Tri-Council: Beausoleil First Nation, Georgina Island First Nation, and Chippewas of Rama First Nations, as well as the people of the Métis Nation, the Inuit, and other First Nations who have chosen to make their
homes in this region. The members of the Simcoe County Historical Association recognize that we have much to learn from the history, culture, and teachings of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we now share this land. We are committed to nurturing a spirit of respect, honesty, and reconciliation with all our First Nations, Métis, and Inuit neighbours. Click Here for more info.