Two new plaques are set to be unveiled in Chatham-Kent (CK).
Both are being installed by Project Bookmark Canada, a non-profit dedicated to recognizing Canadian authors and their work.
Each plaque is installed at locations mentioned in specific books.
Project Bookmark Canada Executive Director Hughena Matheson told CK News Today the idea came from writer Miranda Hall, who realized she was frequently passing locations mentioned in books she had read.
"She thought, wouldn't it be unique if when I came to that spot, I could actually read the text on a plaque," explained Matheson.
The first plaque being installed in CK will be in Thamesville at the community's historic Town Hall. The plaque will include a passage from local author Robertson Davies’ book, Fifth Business, which details life prior to the First World War and the celebrations in the community that took place after the war ended.
Matheson hopes people will be encouraged to read the entire book.
"I think when people read that passage, they'll want to find out what came before and what came after because it kind of whets their appetite," she said.
The plaque will officially be unveiled on September 22 at 1:30 p.m.
CK's second plaque will be at the Chatham Public Library. It'll have a passage from local author Lori Lansens' book, The Girls, a fictional story about conjoined sisters who volunteered at the library and loved literature.
Carolyn Beacroft, a member of Project Bookmark Canada's board of directors, explained that anyone locally who's read the book will notice quite a few familiar spots.
"There are many scenes in that book that you can relate to. One is the girls going to [a nearby] lighthouse, and that's a very popular destination."
Chatham's plaque will officially be unveiled on November 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Both plaques received funding from Chatham-Kent's Councillor Ward Funding Project, local charitable groups, and private donations.
The Thamesville plaque is fully funded, while Chatham's is still a little behind. People can donate to Project Bookmark Canada by visiting its website.
Once they're installed, they'll be the first in southwestern Ontario and just the 32nd and 33rd across the entire country. So far, each province has at least one plaque.
This project is also unique to Canada, as no other countries have introduced a similar way to recognize local books and authors.
