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PICKERING TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
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PICKERING TOWNSHIP MUSEUM BOARD
PURPOSE
Under the terms of the Confederation Centenial Act,
funds have been made available by the Federal and Provincial
Governments for the purpose of commemorating the 100th
Anniversary of Confederation in each municipality. The
purpose of this submission is to present a plan sponsored by
the Pickering Township Museum Board for the expansion and
improvement of the museum and the creation of a pioneer community
to be known as Centenial Village. Council is requested to
endorse this recommendation and make application to the Centenial
Advisory Committee on behalf of the Museum Board for a grant
to support this project.
BACKGROUND
The Pickering Township Historical Museum was founded
in 1960 with the aim of preserving for this, and future
generations, the record of the creation and evolution of
this Township.
The hundred -year -old school on No. 7 Highway in the
Village of Brougham was acquired and formed the nucleus of the
museum. On the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the
founding of the Township in 1961 the museum was officially
opened. The opening ceremonies, which attracted several
thousand visitors, demonstrated the deep interest of citizens
throughout the area and the museum was proudly hailed as a
notable addition to the assets of the Township.
2.
Since its opening, the museum has grown steadily in
size and quality and now includes a completely furnished
log cabin of 1830 vintage, a large log barn and a beef ring
barn. Housed in the various buildings are several hundred
exhibits ranging from prehi:,toric Indian relics found at the
famous Miller Site through primitive farm implements to examples
of the earliest gasoline tractors.
Not only have the physical reminders of the past
been preserved, but also the written record. An illustrated
hard back book written by Rev. Wm. McKay was published and
first released for sale at the 150th Anniversary celebrations.
This excellent book has been acknowledged as a model of local
histories and holds a place of honour in many Canadian libraries.
Each year the museum attracts an ever-increasing
number of visitors. In 1963, more than 3,000 adult visitors,
plus several thousand school children stopped to look at and
study the many exhibits and demonstrations. The highlight
of the Museum Season is the History in Action Day held each
year. On this day in September hundreds of people gather
at the museum grounds to watch the few remaining old time
craftsmen demonstrate the trades and activities which helped
to mould this Township. Interest in this demonstration has become
so great that the museum grounds are now scarcely capable of
holding the growds. Of immeasurable benefit to the Township is
the wide publicity given this event by the national communications
media. Following History in Action Day last year, the Globe &
Mail devoted the entire front page of the second section to
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stories and pictures of the activities. Nearly all Toronto
and Osnawa radio media. publicized, as a public service, this
memorable occasion.
The Historical Museum, which made such a small and
faltering start four years ago, is now an established institution
in the Township. It is recognized by the Ontario Government
not only as a valuable contributor to the preservation of
Ontario history, but also as a tourist attraction. Each year,
the Department of Travel and Publicity supports the Museum
with grants for operation.
It is fitting that such an institution, which has
a proven record of success, be a significant participant in the
Township's centenial plans. The activities and capabilities
of the Pickering Township Museum are ideally suited to the aims
of the Centenial Advisory Committee and the Confederation
Centenial Act.
THE LEGISLATION
Under The Centenial Grants Programme any project
undertaken by a municipality that will be of a lasting nature
and will stand as a worthy memorial of Canada's one hundredth
birthday and of the part that Ontario played in the development
of the Nation will be considered for assistance and in
particular the types of projects which will be considered
under the Programme includo the acquisition of buildings of
historic or architectural merit and any furniture or
furnishing therein, the restoration of buildings of historical
or architectural merit and the construction or restoration
of museum buildings and other buildings of historical
significance.
Grants are provided under the Programme equally by
the Governments of Ontario and Canada for approved projects
in an amount equal to the lesser of 66 2/3% of the agreed
estimated eligible cost or '06 2/1k of the actual eligible cost
of the project, subject to a limitation of $2.00 per capita
of population of the municipality concerned.
Among the item: which for grant purposes may be
included in the cost of an approved project are the value of
land, materials and labour donated for a project, in such
amount as is approved by tho Minister of Municipal Affairs.
It is proposed that in the case of the museum project the
municipality's contribution to the project shall consist of
buildings, materials, labour and furnishings donated to the
museum board for the purposes of the project with the result
that no monetary expenditure by the municipality will be
required.
Applications for grants must be made on or before
the lst day of August 1964.
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