The inductees onto the Nepean Museum Wall of Honour reflect the richness and diversity of our community. These individuals are being recognized for their notable accomplishments and contributions. The Wall of Honour is a testament to individuals who have left a lasting legacy in Nepean.

Walter Baker

The Honourable Walter Baker, P.C., M.P., Q.C., was a man known for his energy, commitment to community service and dedication to Canadian citizens all while maintaining a busy schedule as a parliamentarian. His legacy is noted not only on the Wall of Honour, but in Barrhaven where the South Nepean Centre was renamed the Walter Baker Sports Centre to acknowledge the efforts he made to serve his community.

The Bell Family

The heritage home at 3080 Richmond Road was built by William Bell in the 1820’s and was cultivated for farming. In the decades that followed each generation of the Bell family has made their mark on the home and property. The year 2000 witnessed the donation of the Bell homestead to the City of Nepean. Presently, Dr. Ruth Bell continues to work tirelessly alongside the Friends of Fairfields to ensure that the importance of Fairfields is remembered and celebrated.

Bruce Campbell

Bruce Campbell has served 23 years as President of the East Nepean Little League Baseball Association. In this role he helped oversee regional, provincial and national championships.  He was part of the committee that bid successfully for Ottawa to play host to the Canadian Little Major Championship in August 2015. He also works with the East Nepean Challenger Baseball program for youths between the ages of 5 and 18 with physical or developmental disabilities. In addition to his role in community sports, Bruce is active in the cultural side of Nepean and is a current member of the Board of Trustees at the Nepean Museum.  In January 2013 he was presented with the Mayor’s Cup for Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Ottawa.

Bruce Elliott

Established scholar Dr. Bruce Elliott, the former historian for the City of Nepean (1986-1990) is the author of The City Beyond: A History of Nepean, Birthplace of Canada’s Capital, 1792-1990 (1991).  Bruce is active in the local heritage community in an advisory capacity to local government, and is involved with Pinhey’s Point and Fairfields historic sites.  The quality of his research and his contributions in heritage have been acknowledged through a range a prestigious awards including the Nepean 2000 Millennium Medal.

Colin Franklin

Dr. Colin Franklin is a Member of the Order of Canada. A pioneer in Canada's space industry, he played a leading role in the design, construction and application of Canada's first satellite, the Alouette topside sounder, in both an engineering and a program management capacity. His work and the leadership he provided to Canadian research and industrial development activities in communications, space-related research and manufacturing, have been major factors in establishing Canada as a world leader in these fields. He is the recipient of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers "Pioneers in Technology" award. Colin Franklin has lived in Bells Corners and been a part of their community for over fifty years.

Doug Frobel

Doug Frobel was a major league baseball player from 1982 to 1987. The ball park behind Nepean Museum is named after this graduate player of East Nepean who went on to play Major League baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Montréal Expos.  Doug is honoured in the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame as the only Ottawa-developed player to make it to the major leagues.

Beryl Gaffney

Alderwoman Beryl Gaffney consistently promoted heritage concerns in Nepean and as such played a central role in establishing the foundations for what is today the Nepean Museum.  She not only served as a City Councillor in Nepean, but in the Canadian House of Commons as the Liberal MP for Nepean. The active role she has played in Nepean’s cultural life has not gone unnoticed.

Frederick W. Harmer

The namesake of both Harmer Avenue and Harmer House, Frederick W. Harmer is remembered for his act of heroism while serving as township clerk from 1866-1905. Mr. Harmer rescued a box containing Nepean’s most important records from the devastating fire of 1870 that wiped out much of Bell’s Corners.  It is documented that he was widely respected for his intellect, meticulous records, knowledge of municipal affairs and kindly disposition.

The Honeywells

The Honeywell’s were the first settlers in Nepean Township. Ira Honeywell acquired land in Nepean Township, North-east of Woodroffe and Carling. In the winter of 1809-10, Ira built a log cabin on the bank of the Ottawa River and cleared 4 acres. In 1811, he brought his wife Polly Andrews and family to their new home. Shortly thereafter, his son John was born making him supposedly the first white child born in Nepean. There were no other settlers in Nepean Township until 1814. Descendants of the Honeywell’s are avid supporters of Nepean Museum and three generations were in attendance at the 2011 opening of the Honeywell Homestead exhibit

Rosina Lawrence

A native of Nepean, having been raised in Westboro, Rosina Lawrence was an actress, singer, and dancer. Her entry into the movie business was facilitated by her father being a Hollywood set builder.  Before being hired by Fox Studios at the age of 20, she acted in vaudeville and performed in dance clubs and in stage musicals. The Hollywood starlet is best known for portraying Mary Roberts in Laurel and Hardy's 1937 film “Way Out West”. Lawrence had a short-lived but memorable career in the 1930s before she married in 1939 and retired from entertainment.

Lois Long

Lois Long is member of the founding Longfield family. She was a member of the Merivale Pioneer Historians which formed the foundation for the present day Nepean Museum. She is a life member of the Nepean Museum and an active donor and benefactor. Lois is perhaps best known for the donation of the Ida and Lois Long hat collection as well as supporting the acquisition of the Nepean Bible, a museum treasure, as well as for her research on the original Nepean pioneer families. She remains a devoted supporter of the heritage community in Nepean.

Steve Maclean

Dr. Steve MacLean is most well known in Nepean as being the second Canadian to walk in space. A visible member of the Nepean community, he is also a strong supporter of science literacy and child education. He has published over 25 scientific and technical publications and has received numerous international honours, including the Canadian Meritorious Service Cross. Dr. MacLean has held various positions in the Canadian Space Agency including; Chief Astronaut, and until February 2013, as CSA President. He is the namesake for Steve MacLean Public school on Spratt Road and Steve MacLean Park in Fisher Heights.

Richard Malott

“Dick” Malott is an honourary member of the Nepean Museum, past president of the Board of Trustees, currently on the collections committee and is a long time volunteer at the museum, having given over 20 years of service. Major Malott (Ret’d) served at the CWM for 18 years, 17 years as the Chief Curator of Collections and one as Chief, Special Projects. From 1992-2000 he served as the Executive Director, Organization of Military Museums of Canada, Inc. operating from his home in Nepean, Ontario. His giving attitude makes every situation an opportunity for success.

Ron McGuire

A resident of Nepean since 1973, Mr. McGuire is a military postal historian who has worked tirelessly since 1978 on behalf of Canada’s Hong Kong Veterans. From 1997 to today, he has ensured that the sacrifices of the Veterans of Canada and Newfoundland have been commemorated and he continually contributes to the Remembrance day exhibits at the Nepean Museum. Mr. McGuire’s booklet, The Postal History of Canada’s “C” Force, was awarded the E.R. Toop memorial Award in 2002. From 1974 to date, his articles on Canada’s military postal history from 1837 to the Second World War have appeared in more than a dozen periodicals. Mr. McGuire was recognized for his work at the Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation held on November 12, 2011.

The Monaghan's (John)

Born and raised in Nepean in the original family homestead, close friend to D.A Moodie and former member of the Nepean Museum Board, John Monaghan has been an active member of the community. He successfully researched and wrote the chronicle of The Monaghans of Fallowfield (2004) which demonstrates his avid interest in history and his understanding of the value of preserving it for future generations. He firmly believes the old Irish saying “To know where you are going, you must know where you have been”. The Monaghan family, a founding family of Nepean is the namesake for Monaghan Forest Park. He is also the recipient of the 2002 Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the 2000 Nepean Millennium Medal.

Lou Mulvihill

After a motorcycle accident left him with only partial movement in his legs, Lou Mulvihill, current Nepean resident, decided that he would make the most of his injury. Lou decided to become involved in the growing sport of sledgehockey during the 1980’s, and has never looked back. Mr. Mulvihill became a member of the Canadian National Sledge hockey team in 1989, winning three World Cups, as well as a bronze medal at the 1994 Paralympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Lou now spends his time building and designing sledges and sticks used by members of the National and local community teams.

Mike Nemesvary

A former Nepean resident, a Canadian and British free-style skiing champion, Mike Nemesvary has achieved even greater personal success after a spinal cord injury ended his skiing career in 1985.  Mr. Nemesvary has devoted the last 25 years to raising awareness of those with spinal cord injuries. His charity, “The Back Up Trust,” has raised over $20 Million worldwide, allowing those affected with spinal cord injuries to reach their full potential.

Ewart “Gus” Wersch

Gus Wersch served on the police force for more than 38 years and for much of his career he was the Chief of Police for the City of Nepean.  As the popular, high-profile Chief of the Nepean Police department, he was a frequent, welcomed participant in worthy events in Nepean including fundraisers, sporting events, roasts and retirement dinners. He is known for the emphasis he always placed on community and Gus continues his investment in the community and the Nepean Museum through the recent donation of artifacts and archival material.