Revealed Nov 26, 2024 • 2 minute learn
Durham historian Mat Johnson, pictured right here contained in the Harry Lumley Bayshore Neighborhood Centre, gained the Ontario Museum Affiliation’s award for excellence in publications for his free journal Marathon of Historical past. Photograph submitted.
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A Durham historian serving to to uncover native tales is being rewarded for his labour of affection.
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Mat Johnson just lately gained the Ontario Museum Affiliation’s award for excellence in publications for his free journal Marathon of Historical past.
“I was ecstatic . . . it’s pretty cool. It’s just cool, that’s the best way to describe it,” Johnson mentioned.
The quarterly journal started in 2022 as a method for Johnson to share the analysis he collected whereas creating museum displays. Two years later, it’s an award-winning publication with common options, visitor contributions and distinctive articles, all with an area curiosity.
“I thought it would be pretty cool if I could share this with other people who would be interested,” Johnson mentioned concerning the journal’s “out-of-nowhere” begin.
“I just wanted to share. There is so much interesting history here that people may not know about,” Johnson mentioned.
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The OMA known as the journal a enjoyable, informative, full-colour, and accessible native heritage journal that creates an area for historians, aspiring historians, and native heritage lovers to share their work with like-minded individuals.
The Marathon of Historical past journal additionally acknowledges native museums, professionals, volunteers and displays. It has a mean digital readership of two,000 to 2,500 individuals and is out there at most native museum reward retailers or on-line on the Marathon of Historical past web site.
Born and raised in West Gray, Johnson mentioned he’s a third-generation historical past buff who in 2010 went to the Bruce County museum and requested to volunteer.
“I’ve always loved it. I knew I wanted to do something in heritage,” he mentioned. “I just went there and said I want to do anything.”
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He began volunteering and finally helped to construct museum displays. He has since made heritage companies a full-time profession.
“I decided to go all-in and here I am,” Johnson mentioned.
The most recent Marathon of Historical past challenge encompasses a report on the a hundred and sixtieth Bruce Battalion and a e book preview entitled “Deep Scars: A Controversial Episode in Meaford’s Past, examined in the upcoming book from author Paula Hope” concerning the long-lasting results felt in Meaford to today following a call in 1942 to expropriate land in Meaford for who’s now often known as the 4th Canadian Division Coaching Centre — a army coaching base.
There’s a narrative concerning the Meaford museum’s Paranormal Waters exhibit and a submitted article from a highschool pupil about their expertise as a historic battle reenactor.
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Johnson mentioned the submitted tales are probably the most attention-grabbing to him when he’s placing collectively the journal.
“I love learning about those things people submit because often I don’t know anything about it,” he mentioned.
Johnson mentioned he didn’t have any prior publication expertise earlier than beginning the journal and that he’s been studying on the fly.
The OMA mentioned in its award transient that one of many journal’s distinctive options is its native focus and easy-to-digest content material.
“While many popular history magazines are nationally-focused or American-focused, broad in scope, and have high barriers for contributors, ‘Marathon of History’ is unique in that it is regionally- focused and does not require contributors to have extensive experience or credentials, only a love of history – the magazine’s motto is “Local History by Local People.”
Johnson mentioned he’s all the time on the lookout for sponsors, contributors and extra readers.
For extra info or to learn digital copies of the Marathon of Historical past journal go to www.marathonofhistory.ca.
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