Retired emeritus history professor Dr. James Hiller became the most recent recipient of the Newfoundland Historical Society’s Heritage Award at a ceremony at Government House in October 2011.

The award was given in recognition of Dr. Hiller’s special contribution to public history, as an active early member of the Association of Heritage Industries, his continuing work with the Newfoundland Quarterly Foundation, and, above all, his work for the Newfoundland Historical Society (NHS) itself, where he pioneered its publication series and its symposiums. He was also involved with Memorial’s Smallwood Centre, served as the editor of Newfoundland and Labrador Studies and was also a member of the Canadian Historical Association’s Regional History Committee.

In the 1990s Dr. Hiller and the NHS spearheaded efforts to bring Newfoundland and Labrador history back into the school curriculum. Dr. Hiller also acted as an academic adviser to the Department of Education during the development of the Grade 8 Newfoundland and Labrador history text book, and the high school social studies text book. He also researched and wrote extensive reports for the provincial and federal justice departments, and for the provincial Department of Tourism, Recreation and Culture.

Currently, through the Department of Tourism, Recreation and Culture, Dr. Hiller is involved with the future interpretation of the Colonial Building. He is also working with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Historical Society by writing a history of the force. In his introduction at the Oct. 25 event, Dr. Jeff Webb of Memorial’s Department of History said of Dr. Hiller: “The scope of his contribution [as an advocate for the heritage of our province] is perhaps second to none.”

The award citation as presented by Larry Coady, president, Newfoundland Historical Society, reads as follows:

On behalf of the board of the Newfoundland Historical Society, the society’s patron, His Honour, the Honourable John Crosbie and the society’s members this heritage award is presented to Dr. James Hiller, retired professor of history at Memorial University.

For over a century this society has pursued a mandate to promote knowledge and public discussion of the history and heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador. Dr. James Hiller has been an integral part of that mission for many years.

Dr. Hiller has earned the respect of scholars both within this province and throughout Canada. His many contributions reflect a passion for Newfoundland and Labrador history. He has served as educator, scholar, researcher, writer, editor, mentor and adviser on historical and heritage matters. For all of these endeavours Dr. James Hiller has been the most valued historian of Newfoundland and Labrador's rich past in the last quarter century.

For his part, Dr. Hiller says he is honoured by the recognition.

Dr. Hiller came to Newfoundland from England as a graduate student in the 1960s and was hired as a member of the Department of History in 1972. He retired as a University Research Professor in 2007 and was appointed professor emeritus in 2010.

The Newfoundland Historical Society was established in 1905. Its mandate is to promote the knowledge and public discussion of the history and heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador, which it does through free public lectures, publications, public symposiums, heritage awards and advocacy work.

A special event scheduled for Thursday, March 29, will retry Catherine Snow, the last woman hanged for murder in Newfoundland in 1834. Mr. Justice John Joy will act as the defence and Mr. Justice Seamus O’Regan will act as either prosecutor or judge the audience will act as jury. For further details on this and other upcoming events, see www.nlhistory.ca/index.html.