The Martha J Harvey was established in 1981, to recognize “outstanding contributions in the field of New Brunswick History, more particularly for its significance and applicability to central New Brunswick and/or for long and meritorious service or contribution to the Society.

Mrs Martha J. Harvey was the owner of Harvey’s Studio on Queen Street, and founder of the York-Sunbury Historical Society. Strong in both spirit and stature, Mrs. Harvey began her efforts to organise our Historical Society in 1932. Acting in her role as President of the Fredericton Women’s Institute, Martha first called a meeting in her home at 245 York Street. Immediately, a provisional committee was established, and a vote for 25 dollars from the Women’s Institute was provided for the costs of developing bye-laws. Hence, by the time the first public meeting took place at City Hall on February 10, 1932, Mrs. Harvey had already made sure that bye-laws were ready for adoption and officers were ready for nomination.

Martha J Harvey was an active member of the Fredericton’s Woman’s Institute, the IODE, the Social Service Council and many other charities. She is remembered as “a woman of most remarkable energy and ceaseless industry, all of which she employed for the advancement of the welfare of public affairs in her native city… she was always ready to give of her time and talents on its behalf.”

The Martha J. Harvey Award of Distinction is presented for outstanding contribution in the field of New Brunswick History, more particularly for its significance and applicability to central New Brunswick and/or for long and meritorious service or contribution to the Society.  Individuals and possibly groups can be considered for the award.

Recipients:

1981 – Lt. Gen E.W. Sansom
1984 – Senator Muriel Fergusson
1984 – Lucy McNeil
1985 – Dr. Alfred Baily
1985 – Dr. D.J. McLeod
1986 – Louise Hill
1987 – Fred H. Phillips
1988 – Dr. Elizabeth McGahan
1988 – Dr. Stuart Smith
1989 – Dr. James Chapman
1990 – Alden J. Clark
1991 – Dr. Ivan H. Crowell
1992 – Velma Kelly
1993 – Ted Jones
1993 – Dr. Murray Young
1994 – Donna Wallace
1995 – Richard Bird
1996 – Fred White
1998 – Ruth Scott
2000 – Government of New Brunswick Heritage Branch
2004 – Frederick Wilmot Hubbard
2005 – Mr. & Mrs. T.W. Acheson
2009 – Paul O’Connell
2010 – The Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society and the Honorable David Dickson
2011 – Bob Dallison and George Bidlake
2012 – Brian Hallett and Eleanor Stillwell
2013 – Dr. Vincent Erickson and Don Roberts
2014 – Melynda Jarratt and Elizabeth Earl
2015 – Dr. C. Mary Young
2016 – Dr. Sheila Andrew
2017 – Bob McNeil
2018 – Dr Gail Campbell
2019 – David Myles
2020 – No award given
2021 – No award given
2022 – Dr Gary C. Campbell, Maxine Campbell, and Major (retired) Doug Hall
2023 – Anita Jones.

Officer’s Quarters’ articles pertaining to the award:

Volume 10, Number 3 (Summer 1994) – The Royal Tour of 1939, “The Martha J. Harvey Award of Distinction” by Ted Jones (page 8).  Available for download on this page.

Volume 15, Number 1 & 2 (Spring and Summer 1999) – A Publication of the York-Sunbury Historical Society, Inc. “Congratulations Ruth Scott! …” by Ted Jones (page 15).  Available for download on this page.

Martha J. Harvey Award of Distinction Recipients Biographies
Senator Muriel Fergusson; Dr. Alfred Bailey; Louise Hill; Dr. Ivan Crowell; Dr. Murray Young; Ruth Scott; Frederick Wilmot Hubbard. Content may not be reproduced, retransmitted, disseminated, sold, distributed, published, broadcast or circulated without permission.
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Martha J. Harvey
Content may not be reproduced, retransmitted, disseminated, sold, distributed, published, broadcast or circulated without permission.
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