Take a Bow, Dorset!

On Saturday morning, I was in Gravenhurst to accept an award on behalf of the Village of Dorset. (that was simply because we had difficult in fitting the entire village into a vehicle to get to the awards presentation, and because I Chair the Heritage Committee for Lake of Bays, who made the nomination).

The Muskoka Heritage Foundation presented Dorset with a Community/Cultural award recognizing the heritage values preserved in that great little village. Established in 1859, Dorset was originally named Cedar Narrows, because of the trees that lined the river at the narrows. In 1892 Dorset became headquarters for the Gilmour Lumber Company. Today Dorset sports a very active Historical Society that maintains the Dorset Museum, the Scenic Lookout Tower and the Lake of Bays Marine and Navigational Museum with its newest attraction, the restored Bigwin steamboat.

All that, plus the original hump-back bridge built in 1914, the Fiery Grill restaurant and Robinson's General Store, both housed in buildings that date back to Dorset's founding, and a whole lot more.

Every year the Muskoka Heritage Foundation recognizes excellence in Natural and Built heritage in our District. Established in 1987, this foundation's mandate is to protect, conserve and nurture Muskoka's natural and cultural environment now and for future generations. It was an honour for Dorset to receive this award, justly deserved. It was an even greater honour to be able to accept on their behalf. The award will be held in the Museum.