March 15, 2011
Over 500 people witnessed M.K. Rittenhouse (1884-1980) receive the Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Historical Hall of Fame Award. The awards night took place on Feb. 18 at Sheraton Fallsview Hotel and Conference Centre in Niagara Falls.

Born in Vineland, Moses Kensley Rittenhouse continued his family’s legacy in the area as the great great grandson of one of the first settlers in Twenty Valley, and the son of a farmer and Mennonite minister.

Lisa Cairns, executive director of Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, said, “When you look at the Rittenhouse story, he comes from a very entrepreneurial family in itself, such as his uncle who he was named after. I think it’s great that the business is not only still running, but it has diversified and is still family-owned and operated.”

Moses Rittenhouse left a lasting legacy as the business continues to grow as Rittenhouse Since 1914, located in St. Catharines. The company has been a member of LO since the mid-1980s.

The businessman and philanthropist helped establish the area on which Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is located on land Moses Rittenhouse donated the land to the province to create a centre of excellence in horticultural research in 1906. His name is still synonymous with the site, with the heritage building Rittenhouse Hall still in use today.

In a Niagara Review article, company president Mark Rittenhouse is quoted, “Everyone is very proud. This is a family business and it is in Niagara, so to be honoured, and have an award bestowed in his name is exciting.” He went on to state, “The strong brand has been key to the business staying in operation for 97 years, and we hope it will continue to flourish well into the future.”