Niagara Falls historian Sherman Zavitz receives Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers

A local historian has received honours from Canada’s Governor General for his dedication to the City of Niagara Falls.

Sherman Zavitz, along with 40 others from across Canada, received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.

“It was quite an honour,” Zavitz said.

It was also a surprise, because Zavitz did not realize his son-in-law had nominated him for the medal. But when Governor General Mary Simon pinned the ribbon on his jacket, the moment sunk in.

“History always interested me as a kid in grade school,” said Zavitz. “I was fascinated by the stories of the early French explorers and the St. Lawrence.”

Originally from Welland, Zavitz got his first job as a teacher in Niagara Falls and fell in love with the city. He says he cannot pick just one landmark, but says the falls remain the big draw.

Zavitz is known all around Niagara Falls, but one of the ways the community has gotten to know him is through his guided tours around the city.

“One of his jobs within that role was to lead walking tours that really dove into the general history of the City of Niagara Falls. And those walking tours were very well attended,” said Christine Girardi, curator at Niagara Falls Museum.

Zavitz has lent his free time to the Canadian Canoe Society, the Lundy’s Lane Historical Society and as chair of the Niagara museum board, just to name a few. His dedication is felt through the team he has worked with.

“For everything that he has done for Canadian history in general, and then obviously for the City of Niagara Falls,” Christine said.

For those wondering about the history behind Niagara’s nickname, “Honeymoon Capital of the World,” Zavitz says the first couple to do so came in 1801, but the term was not coined until much later.

“Theodora wrote to her sister-in-law about the experience they had here and how magnificent the falls were,” Zavitz said. “She said ‘I cannot describe them in words.'”

Zavitz is retired now but remains passionate about the city which fostered his love of history.

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