Simcoe County is moving beyond pens and trinkets to promote itself; it is commissioning two 24-inch busts of its namesake – Upper Canada’s first Lieutenant Governor, John Graves Simcoe – as well as a series of 10 12-inch busts.

As well as a distinguished Royal Navy career, Simcoe introduced English common law, trial by jury and freehold tenure to Upper Canada. He also abolished slavery long before it was abolished elsewhere in the British Empire.

As early as this fall, bronze likenesses will grace the front of the county’s Administration Centre and the Simcoe County Museum, both in Midhurst. Hillsdale sculptor Marlene Hilton Moore, who created Valiants Memorial sculptures in Confederation Square in Ottawa, will also create a limited edition of smaller pieces the county can give as gifts or use in fundraising.

“Simcoe County is the best-kept secret in Simcoe County and that is because we have no way to recognize our heritage and promote ourselves in the province of Ontario. This is a small step towards what we have to do, if we are to get tremendous mileage in the promotion of our region,” said Warden Tony Guergis.

Guergis began brainstorming about how to acknowledge the county’s heritage, as well as how to raise funds as he planned the annual Warden’s Gala.

That’s when the idea of engaging Hilton Moore – who created bronzes of 14 war heroes, to the exacting standards of a series of historical, heritage and federal government agencies – to create Simcoe bust emerged.

The idea appealed to county councillors, who overwhelmingly supported the plan for two larger busts and a series of 10, at a cost of $56,000.

“I don’t think anyone thinks twice when we get flags, pens and pennants and hand those out to promote the community. What I see happening is much of this money, we will get back through fundraising such as the Warden’s Gala. You’d have an incredible piece of art promoting our namesake,” said Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Doug White.

“I see these being used when the premier or the prime minister come. We would just give something other than a pen. We’d have something of stature to mark the occasion.

“I see them being used over many years. I see this as an opportunity to market our name in a very sleek, professional and artistic way.”

Bradford West Gwillimbury unveiled a larger-than-life statue of Simcoe’s wife, Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe, June 8. An artist, she created vivid sketches that recorded 18th-century life in Upper Canada.

Still, some county councillors thought the county should limit its art to the full-size busts for the admin centre and the museum, rather than getting into a limited-edition series.

“I have a problem with spending that kind of money ($20,300) on (smaller) busts that we’ll give away,” said Oro-Medonte Township Deputy Mayor Ralph Hough.