The political science professor emeritus Trevor Price (l.), who recently received the 2015 History Department Community Heritage Medal, with History professor Miriam Wright (r.), at the 2015 Botsford Dinner of the Essex County Historical Society. (Photo cThe political science professor emeritus Trevor Price (l.), who recently received the 2015 History Department Community Heritage Medal, with History professor Miriam Wright (r.), at the 2015 Botsford Dinner of the Essex County Historical Society. (Photo courtesy of Jim McTavish)

Professor emeritus acknowledged for promotion of local history

Trevor Price’s enthusiasm and active support for local stories and scholarship, along with his valuable leadership, earned him a 2015 History Department Community Heritage Medal.

The political science professor emeritus, who is also a UWindsor grad (M.P.S. 1967), was acknowledged by his alma mater for his deep dedication to preserving local historical publications as well as encouraging young researchers to study local history.

“My passion for local history came from my interest in urban studies and the problems of cities and how cities dealt with those problems,” says Price. “As I got older, I got more interested in writing books and applying for grants that enabled us to publish books that were very important to local history, but were out of print.”

Dr. Price was instrumental in arranging the publication of numerous books featuring the history of the area, including reprints of E. J. Lajeunesse’s The Windsor Border Region and Patrick Brode’s Unholy City. He authored Heritage along the Detroit River (2010) and co-wrote Windsor 1892-1992: A Centennial Celebration.

History professor Miriam Wright says Price is active in recognizing the work of others, through his involvement with the Essex County Historical Society’s Lajeunesse Award and the Botsford Scholarship, which is given to an undergraduate student at the University of Windsor for outstanding research on local history.

“He’s taken a strong interest in young people and in their research,” says Dr. Wright, who served on the committee that chose the medal recipients. “Dr. Price ensures the love of history isn’t just something you do when you retire, it is a living thing that must be fostered throughout your life.”

Wright praises Price’s great love of teaching, citing his continuing work through talks, seminars and courses with both Uni-Com at UWindsor and Canterbury ElderCollege. He is also a long-time advocate of the Essex County Historical Society, serving in various roles including president.

Price says his love of local history came by accident after he joined UWindsor’s political science department and began teaching courses in municipal government.

“I did a lot of research about things that happened in Windsor’s history, the politics of Windsor and city council and that’s how I originally got interested in local history,” says Price.

This is the first year the department has given the medals, which recognize outstanding achievement in raising the profile of local history and heritage throughout Essex, Lambton and Kent Counties. Five were awarded this year. Price received his medal in May at the 2015 Botsford Dinner of the Essex County Historical Society.

UWindsor History Department Community Heritage Medal.