Scarborough Walk of Fame

As a non-profit local history resource dedicated to heritage preservation and education, the Scarborough Historical Society is one of the largest and most active historical societies in Ontario. 

Lionel Purcell: In 1950 Lionel Purcell purchased a farm in north Scarborough. He married Rita in 1956 and together they managed Lionel’s Farm, breeding and showing Shetland Ponies all across Ontario and parts of the United States. By the early 1960’s the farm began to take in unwanted animals and eventually expanded to include a petting zoo. Soon school tours, children’s birthday parties and community events were incorporated into the farm’s activities. 

Purcell began collecting horse drawn carriages, buggies and sleighs, some of which are used for corporate parties, retail displays, weddings, community events, television productions and films. He’s been awarded the Scarborough Citizen of the Year Award and the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. He’s also served as Honorary Governor of the Lions International and Honorary Governor of the Royal Winter Fair. 

While serving on the Scarborough Planning Board, Purcell was instrumental in identifying land that would eventually be used for the Scarborough Civic Centre. He is a past Director of the Agincourt Lions Club and the Vice President of the Rouge Valley Foundation Board of Directors. 

As past president of the Scarborough Historical Society, Lionel Purcell playeda significant role in its development and expansion.

Richard Schofield: Educator, historian, archivist and author,Richard Schofield was raised in Wexford and his life’s work has been the preservation of Scarborough’s heritage. Until 1987, Schofield worked as a teacher for the Scarborough Board of Education and has won countless awards for community service. He has been an executive member of the Scarborough Historical Society since 1974. Schofield is the author of 5 publications and over 600 newspaper articles exploring Scarborough’s history.

Always on the lookout for new opportunities to educate the public, Richard founded the Scarborough Archives, initiated the creation and installation of Scarborough historical plaques, established an annual heritage showcase at Scarborough Town Centre and initiated the preservation and restoration of the Morrish Store/Residence. Schofield is also a founding member of the Scarborough Preservation Committee, Community Heritage Ontario, and the Bethel Pioneer/Memorial Cemetery Board.