McLennan (1853-1939), was a Montreal-born industrialist, historian and publisher who first came to Cape Breton Island to manage the early coal and steel industries of the area.
He married artist Louise Ruggles Bradley of Chicago in 1881, and together they welcomed five children into the world - Frances, Isabel, Hugh, Margaret, and Katharine.
They lived in several residences during these early Cape Breton years, including Havenside in Louisbourg and Brookdale in South Bar, but none as grand as Petersfield, their Westmount estate, built in 1902.
The McLennans enjoyed many happy years at Petersfield, entertaining visiting dignitaries and famous guests, as well as beloved friends and relatives.
Shortly after her brother was killed in battle near Ypres, Katharine McLennan decided she wanted to join other young women overseas as a nurse's aide in the military hospitals.
Frustrated by his refusal, Katharine enlisted the help of her sisters to convince him to let her go to France with the Red Cross Society, the Secours aux Blessés Militaries.
Katharine took a break in the spring and early summer of 1918, but returned to France to Pontoise and the Hospital Militaire, Caserne de Cavaliere from July 16 to November 11, 1918.
For years she had traveled with her father to London, Paris, Boston, and Ottawa, to find information that could help to tell the story of Louisbourg, including the various sieges as well as the day-to-day life of the people who lived there during the 18th century.
She used her contacts and financial resources to locate and retrieve artifacts from the time of French occupation, including a cannon at Halifax and the Louisbourg bells.
"[4] In addition to her work at Louisbourg, Katharine became involved with the Cape Breton Regional Library Board, the Victorian Order of Nurses, and the Red Cross.
[6] The award, which recognizes the exceptional contributions of an individual who has, through community, life, and volunteer work, made a significant and lasting difference in the area(s) of arts, culture and/or historical preservation of Cape Breton Island, will be presented to an individual who has exhibited leadership, integrity, social responsibility and a willingness to serve community throughout their life each year.