Shannon Prince may be retiring, but the accolades continue for the longtime curator of the Buxton Museum and Historical Site.
On March 5, Prince earned the Luminary of the Year award at the Southern Ontario Tourism Awards in Sarnia.
The award recognizes an individual whose contributions have illuminated the tourism industry with an unmatched dedication, unwavering passion, and relentless commitment.
Prince has been a respected member of the museum community for the past 25 years, having started as curator of the Buxton Museum in January 1999.
During her tenure, Prince became an essential part of the museum’s growth and success, earning recognition from local and international communities alike. She has devoted herself not only to this museum but to many others around the area, sharing her knowledge and expertise in numerous ways.
She has conducted extensive research on family history, provided educational tours, and served as an educator, impacting the lives of people in and around Chatham-Kent.
Prince is also a distinguished academic, having given talks on CNN and the United Shades of America. Her contributions to the field of Underground Railroad research have been extensive, working with York University, the University of Toronto, the Underground Railroad Freedom Centre in Cincinnati, Millersville University, and several other historical organizations around the world.
Her work earned her an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Windsor, and along with her husband Bryan was recently awarded the Order of Canada.
