Cherri Hurst - 2026 Recipient of the Jean Hibbert Memorial Award
Presentation of the 2026 Jean Hibbert Memorial Award to Cherri Hurst at Montgomery's Inn on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
(left to right: Mireille Macia, EHS President; Mary Louise Ashbourne, Cherri's mentor and 2021 Jean Hibbert Award Recipient; Cherri Hurst, 2026 Jean Hibbert Award Recipient)
At the May 21st, 2026 Annual General Meeting, EHS presented Cherri Hurst with the 2026 Jean Hibbert Memorial Award.
For fourteen years, Cherri has served as President of the Weston Historical Society (WHS), guiding the organization through a period of revitalization, modernization, and renewed public engagement. Under her leadership, the Society strengthened its role as a steward of local history and as an anchor for community identity.
Cherri has long been a leading voice for heritage advocacy in Weston. She played a central role in the creation of the Weston Historical Conservation District in 2006 and went on to serve for many years as President of its governing board. As a member of the Etobicoke York Community Preservation Panel, she has championed the protection of heritage properties and supported numerous designation efforts.
Her contributions to public history and education are equally significant. From 2000 to 2024, Cherri developed and led original historical walking tours that brought Weston’s past vividly to life through meticulous research and engaging storytelling. She chaired the Society’s House Tours, introduced students to local history through school presentations, and led WHS participation in Doors Open, most recently curating the 2025 exhibition How Weston Played.
Cherri has also been instrumental in modernizing the Society’s operations and expanding public access to local history. She spearheaded the redevelopment of the WHS website and later oversaw its migration to a new platform. She secured grant funding to digitize historic local newspapers (openly accessible and searchable at https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews) and coordinated volunteer teams to transcribe fragile handwritten documents. Under her guidance, the WHS archives were fully reorganized, with new intake procedures, cataloguing protocols, and a comprehensive collections database. She also developed job descriptions and operational protocols that have strengthened the Society’s long-term governance.
Cherri continues to inspire others through her dedication and leadership.
In recognition of Cherri's many years of dedication and leadership in researching, preserving and celebrating our rich history and heritage, EHS is honoured to have Cherri receive the 2026 Jean Hibbert Memorial Award.