Members of Saskatchewan Museum Association come together for yearly meeting
Earlier this week, members from 10 different communities discussed challenges and solutions for keeping their volunteer-based museums open, at a regional Museum Association of Saskatchewan (MAS) meeting in Yorkton.
Representatives from Preeceevile, Sturgis, Canora, Pelly, Kamsack, Melville, Esterhazy, Doukhobor, Regina, and Yorkton attended the event. Following the meeting, the group headed to the Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society for a tour of the new interpretive station that is currently being built.
"Without volunteers, nothing like this is going to happen. The mill itself was basically ready for the big brown ball to knock it down,” Vern Brown, volunteer of the Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society, said.
“It’s nice when you see it’s all being revived and going because without volunteers, it’s not going to happen.”
Every year, the Seneca Root Museum Association gets together in the spring and the fall to share issues, ideas, and ask questions regarding their small community museums.
Agnes Murrin, chair of the Preecevile & District Heritage Museum said everyone from the group seemed to be facing the same issues.
“We always give a written report, that way we bring up issues, different fundraisers that have worked and different activities that we’ve done,” Murrin explained.
“We also bring up some of the issues whether it’s getting more volunteers, getting more people on the board, getting enough money to keep running. Those are all issues we’re all facing so it’s good to get together.”
During the meeting, a spokesperson from MAS was present to answer any questions people had about provincial grant applications and funding opportunities.
“The community representative from MAS gave us some ideas to go back and tweak our purpose so that we (the museum) can become all things for all people,” explained Murrin.
“Because all museums have a purpose and values, we just have to tweak them because the world is always changing.”
Another member said the meeting was a great opportunity to network with other like-minded volunteers.
"We have a solid crew of volunteers, we've been together, I think I'm the newest one and I've been there for 15 years,” Jeniffer Stein, board member of the Melville Heritage Museum, laughed.
“Once you get in there, you get hooked because you get a passion for that museum and for what we have to offer to the community.”
Stein added that there are many challenges volunteers face with trying to stay afloat, finances being the main concern.
“It’s very difficult, it’s something we’re always going to have to be very proactive doing,” she expressed.
“We do utilize a lot of grants through municipal, provincial funding and even having our own little fundraisers, teas, raffles, things like that. There’s a lot of different aspects that come into making sure we have enough money to operate for the year.”
During the meeting, members decided on creating a video presentation to showcase what makes each of their museums unique.
“We’re going to have each of the museums record two to three minutes and it will be packaged into a 10 minute video,” Larry Pearen, president of the Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society, explained.
"That video will be used for marketing for through the whole region. All of the little museums will have a chance to say something about their museum so we're excited about that."
The video will be presented in the fall during the association’s next general meeting in October.
Yorkton Brick Mill builds new interpretive station
Currently Yorkton’s Brick Mill Heritage Society is building a new interpretive station next to the mill to recognize local family farms, as well as provide tours on the history behind agriculture settlements in the region that go as far back as 1898.
The station will also be available to the public for private meetings and local events.
Pearen said the committee has about $1 million left to fundraise before the project is finished.
“We’re really pleased with the individual and corporate support. With all of our fundraising, without that support, we wouldn’t be doing what we’re doing,” Pearen expressed.
“We want to thank everyone who’s involved as a volunteer and all those who stepped up with some funds. The small amounts become big amounts so no donation is too small.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Scottie Scheffler, from the course to jail and back: What to know about his PGA Championship arrest
Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested after police say he dragged an officer while trying to get around the scene of a fatal accident Friday ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship.
Truck engulfed in flames with owner on scene in Scarborough
A truck was engulfed in flames in the early hours in Scarborough on Saturday.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Feds refuse Toronto's request to decriminalize simple drug possession
The federal government has denied Toronto's request to decriminalize simple possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use.
Yemen's Houthi rebels launch a missile that strikes an oil tanker in the Red Sea, U.S. military says
Yemen's Houthi rebels hit an oil tanker in the Red Sea with a ballistic missile early Saturday, damaging the Panama-flagged, Greek-owned vessel in their latest assault over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, officials said.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.
Duchene scores winner in 2nd OT, Stars reach conference final with 2-1 win over Avs
Matt Duchene scored at 11:42 of the second overtime after being involved in a play that led to a goal disallowed for goaltender interference in the first extra period, and the Dallas Stars advanced to the Western Conference final with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 on Friday night.