92-year-old continues preserving history

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This article was published 05/06/2023 (1096 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Richard Remus of Emerson was one of four Manitobans to receive the Lieutenant Governor’s Historical Preservation and Promotion Awards on May 18.

The 92-year-old was nominated for the award to honour the work he’s done to maintain and rebuild Fort Dufferin on the bank of the Red River north of Emerson.

“I grew up there about three miles away and we heard stories of that,” said Remus.

Remus said growing up so close to the fort started his interest in the history of it. Since retiring from farming nearby, Remus began working with the Post Road Heritage Group.

Fort Dufferin was the headquarters of the International Boundary Commission that worked to map the border of Canada and the United States in the 1870s. Later, it was used by the North-West Mounted Police as a gathering point during the Great March West.

The fort also served as an immigration station for those arriving from the Red River, including Mennonites bound for the West Reserve.

Fort Dufferin was made a National Historic Site in 1937. Many of the original buildings have been maintained or rebuilt by the Post Road Heritage Group, which Remus has been a member of for more than 20 years.

“There are a lot of other people that did just as much work as I did,” said Remus. “I happened to be there for a long time.”

He said he wishes everyone involved in the restoration and upkeep of Fort Dufferin could receive an award like he did.

Lieutenant Governor Anita R. Neville presented the awards at Government House in Winnipeg.

“It is such a pleasure to celebrate the contributions of today’s honourees and their tireless dedication in preserving and promoting the history of this great province,” she said.

During the ceremony, Remus was recognized for his work in the creation of an interpretive centre based on a historic building and a walking trail along the Red River as well as his numerous presentations, interviews and guided tours.

“We had some of our group members and I had some of my family and that was all very precious to me,” said Remus. “I never thought I would be in a position that I would receive an award.”

In addition to his efforts of restoring buildings, Remus has also started a wildflower garden to bring back native plants that used to grow in the prairies.

“I hope that long after I’m gone, some others will be there and that encourages me to keep on going,” Remus said.