Next month, she will bring that same magic to Whitehern Historic House and Garden as its new curator.

“Susan excels in programming and school programming especially, so what we looked at is where do we need that skill the most right now,” said City of Hamilton director of culture Anna Bradford, when asked the reasoning behind the move.

“We have an incredible family of museums –four being national historic sites –and we’ve got great staff everywhere, so we need to place them where we need their expertise. Susan’s done an amazing job at Battlefield; she’s going to do an amazing job at Whitehern.”

Ms. Ramsay began her journey at Battlefield as a volunteer, five years prior to becoming the museum’s curator.

“I loved the aspect of period clothing and the clothing just intrigued me so much and I thought, ‘That is so interesting, I get to dress up,’” she said, when asked what drew her to Battlefield.

“As I volunteer, I talked to children and did educational programs and it just really inspired me to learn more and be able to share what I knew with the community. We just kind of built upon that and some of the aspects that I’ve been involved with are truly life-changing things that I’ve had an opportunity to do.”

In addition to educational and hands-on programs, Ms. Ramsay started the Battlefield House Guard volunteer group in 1991. Known as the “red-coated soldiers,” the group is part of the planning and organizing committee for the Reenactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek.

“The programming that’s gone on at Battlefield over the years and the folks that have come and gone –whether they’re general public, volunteers or staff –they’ve all been affected by Susan,” said house guard and re-enactor Rick Peterson. “It’s amazing just how she’s managed to grow the park into what it is today.”

Ms. Ramsay oversaw the restoration of the Battlefield Monument and its opening in 1994, along with the moving of the Nash Jackson House to Battlefield in 1999. She has also been instrumental in carrying on the tradition of the Re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek – one of the longest-running War of 1812 re-enactments.

“Susan’s made Battlefield into a real historic site,” said Stoney Creek Historical Society president Bill Mitchell. “I think she has brought Battlefield, the Battle of 1812 and Stoney Creek right to the forefront. I don’t know of any other historic site that gets near the publicity that Battle weekend does and that is all due to Susan,” he added. “She has done it all from my perspective; she’s been a tremendous asset.”

Ward 9 councillor Brad Clark says Ms. Ramsay has done a “stellar job” at Battlefield.

“In my opinion, she is responsible for many of the incredible changes that have occurred, especially in preparation of the 200-year commemoration,” he said.

Ms. Ramsay is a consummate professional and has a very diplomatic way of advocating for the park, adds Mr. Clark.

“I know when I was first elected, one of the concerns was Battlefield had all these plans, but the money wasn’t flowing. Susan and I sat down and began to meet with staff and before you knew it, the money was flowing and the Nash Jackson House renovations were moving at an expedited rate, the re-painting of the monument was done. I would say Susan and I… we’re a great dynamic duo to get things done for the park and things moving forward,” he laughed. “I will miss her from that regard.”

Friends of Battlefield president Al Bridge calls Ms. Ramsay a “great woman.”

“She’s so great with her volunteers,” he said. “She’s built up a volunteer base of probably over 100 and knows every one of them by name. We’ve always worked hand and glove and she’s going to be missed.”

Mr. Peterson says for Ms. Ramsay being the curator was certainly more than a job.

“I really admired the amount of heart and soul and effort that she put into it, the dedication, how much she enjoyed being there and how much she worked at making it a great place for everyone to come to,” he said.

Mr. Mitchell has nothing but praise for Ms. Ramsay.

“She’s just a wonderful person to work with, knew her job inside out, upside down and backwards,” he said. “She probably knows more about the history of Battlefield than anybody on the face of the earth today.”

Mr. Clark believes Ms. Ramsay’s legacy will endure.

“We have many staff and volunteers that have a really excellent understanding of Battlefield, of the pivotal moment in Canadian history that that Battle of Stoney Creek represents, so I believe that’s going to continue and that what she has created will continue to move on, carefully held in the stewardship of our community.”

Ms. Ramsay’s goal 20 years ago, when she became the curator of Battlefield House Museum and Park was to take the museum to the community.

“I’ve seen school programming grow, we’ve grown a volunteer program, the site has become a little bit more well-known than it was in the past,” she said. “I think if you take it step by step and grow with your community, I think your community will support you and I have definitely seen that.”

Ms. Ramsay says she’s not sure how to describe it all.

“I think it’s in my blood. It’s definitely been a passion for me working at the site; I love the buildings, the artifacts –they’re very precious to me,” she said. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget this time in my life and just to be so thankful for the opportunity to be able to do what I’ve done for this many years.”