When we think about history, we often imagine facts: dates, places and years; chronologies: who won what, who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. But as noted by many historians throughout time, histories – the stories that explain and interpret the facts – are written, almost always, by those in power, by those who won or whose ancestors won conflicts that established power and ordered societies.
There are an indefinite number of stories that explain the facts of our shared human and life experiences. Some complement others and some contradict them but all are meaningful. The stories we tell orally and in theatre, literature, film, paintings, sculpture, music, dance, design, architecture, fashion and in our daily lives with our talk, our walk, and our pursuits form the culture we share with each other and the world. The stories we tell ourselves and one another, formally and informally, comprise the legacy we inherit and the legacy we bequest to the future. They are our heritage stories.
In 2016, a group of local heritage enthusiasts formed the Ottawa Huron Tract History Association to take exhibits to fairs, heritage days, pioneer days, museums and clubs in rural communities. The response from residents was tremendous and we listened to as many unique heritage stories as we told about our communities.
In April of 2020, the Ottawa Huron Tract Historical Association made formal our commitment to the respectful sharing of heritage stories by incorporating as a not-for profit corporation. Our infrastructure remains mobile and our commitment to sharing historical facts and heritage stories with regard for cultural differences remains strong.
Joan Abernethy
A Founding Director
Heritage Stories
Ottawa Huron Tract History Association September 11, 2021