Personal invitation extended to members of council who have never been to the museum
To the Expositor:
This letter is in response to the Expositor article dated September 17, “Councillors divided over Historical Society donation increase.” The directors of the Historical Society have asked me to write this letter to clarify and educate.
It must be noted that the Central Manitoulin Historical Society, CMHS, did not ask for this increase in funding. Needless to say that we are grateful. Received monies will be spent responsibly. Recent purchases have included upgrading the museum’s technology in the form of a new smart TV to play videos and provide slide show presentations.
We have also purchased new picnic tables for the public to use on the museum grounds. A new laptop was bought for the use of summer staff. CMHS has spent approximately $12,000 over the course of the last three years.
The CMHS is not a “club.” We hold regular business meetings, giving regular guidance for the operation of the Museum. We have, until the hiring of a curator, managed the museum displays,including those in the four outbuildings, the collection of artifacts, archives of family genealogy and a library of local history books.
We facilitate the training of summer staff so they can give guided tours to the public. We host events such as being a stop on the Manitoulin Art Tour, which brings visitors into Central Manitoulin. Over 900 visitors came into the only indoor attraction in Mindemoya last season.
Museums are not a “business.” The cost of losing your history is incalculable.
The CMHS wants ratepayers to be proud of the hard work and past achievements of our ancestors.
We are proud to include the heritage of all the communities in Central Manitoulin. Our mandate is to preserve, conserve and educate the public about the Pioneer heritage of Central Manitoulin.
We invite anyone interested in local history to become a member of CMHS. E-mail us at cmhsmuseum@gmail.com.
Finally, I want to extend a personal invitation to all of the council, especially to those who have never been to the museum, for a personalized tour of the museum to see firsthand the municipality’s hidden gem.
Sincerely,
John Carlisle
President, CMHS
