Martha J. Harvey was a founder of the York Sunbury Historical Society which was established in 1932. She was a president of Fredericton’s Women’s Institute, an involved member of the Social Service Council, and was deeply committed to the welfare of the greater Fredericton community.

The Martha J. Harvey Award of Distinction is presented to individuals, or groups, who have shown a dedicated commitment to the goals of the York Sunbury Historical Society. Past awards have honoured those who have made significant contributions in writing the history of central New Brunswick

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...

, in preserving its artefacts and heritage buildings, or in offering exemplary service to the Society in its efforts to discover and preserve the history and heritage of York and Sunbury counties.

Martha Harvey was the wife of John Harvey, founder of Harvey's Photography Studio in Fredericton, New Brunswick in 1883. John died in 1901 at which time Martha took over the business and eventually sold it to Frank Pridham in 1917.

Martha J. Harvey Award of Distinction Recipients:

1981 - Lt. Gen Ernest William Sansom

Ernest William Sansom

Ernest William Sansom, C.B., D.S.O. was a Canadian Lieutenant-General who was the 3rd ranking commander of Canadian troops in Europe in 1944 during World War II.-World War I military career:...

1984 - Muriel McQueen Fergusson

Muriel McQueen Fergusson

Muriel McQueen Fergusson, was a Canadian Senator and the first woman Speaker of the Senate.Born in Shediac, New Brunswick, she graduated from Mount Allison University in 1921 with a B.A...

1984 - Lucy McNeil
1985 - Dr. Alfred Bailey

Alfred Bailey

Alfred Goldsworthy Bailey, was a Canadian educator, poet, anthropologist, ethno-historian, and academic administrator.-Life:...

1985 - Dr. D.J. McLeod
1986 - Louise Hill
1987 - Fred H. Phillips
1988 - Dr. Elizabeth McGahan
1988 - Dr. Stuart Smith
1989 - Dr. James Chapman
1990 - Alden J. Clark
1991 - Dr. Ivan H. Crowell
1992 - Velma Kelly
1993 - Ted Jones
1993 - Dr. Murray Young
1994 - Donna Wallace
1995 - Richard Bird
1996 - Fred White
1998 - Ruth Scott
2000 - Government of New Brunswick Heritage Branch
2004 – Frederick Wilmot Hubbard
2005 - Mr. & Mrs. T.W. Acheson
2009 - Paul O'Connell
2010 - The Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society
2010 - Honorable David Dickson