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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 9, 1970 4 v .,r TOWNSHIP OF PICKERING MUSEUM BOARD 6/70 A meeting of the Pickering Town- ship Museum Board was held on TUESDAY, the NINTH day of JUNE at EIGHT o'clock p.m. at the Municipal Building PRESENT: Mr. H. Cook, Chairman Mr. D. McLean Mr. M. Parkin Mrs. D. Earle N. C. Marshall, Secretary 1. MINUTES - On motion of Mrs. Earle, seconded by Mr. McLean and carried unanimously the minutes of the meeting held on May the 12th were adopted. 2. ACCOUNTS - On motion of Mr. McLean, seconded by Mr. Parkin and carried unanimously the following accounts were approved for payment: Ontario Hydro $ 23.70 Pervis Chalmers - guest book 18. 90 Andy Ramsay - 31 hrs. 77. 50 3. SALES DESK - — Mr. McLean reviewed briefly with the Committee the results of his discussions with the staff at Fort York with reference to the merchandise sold by them to the visitors. Apparently the most popular items were such things as pennants, leather goods, toys, knives, pocket books (of a historical nature) . Many of these items can be obtained through Irwin Co-Operative and Mr. Cook agreed to check into this item. He would also explore the possibility of obtaining candy as this was evidently a very marketable commodity at Pioneer Village. 4. BUILDING RENOVATION AND FURNISHING - The Chairman expressed concern over the apparent state of dis-repair of a number of the buildings pointing in part- icular to the Church where most of the contents had more or less been assembled in the middle of the building with no semblance of order. In the discussion that followed Mr. McLean and Mr. Parkin agreed to meet on the site and .J assess just what is required to complete a proper display in the Church. On completion of this assessment the necessary re-arrangement would take place. Evidently the Historical Society had expressed a fair amount of interest in possibly financing the renovation of one or two rooms in the different homes through the employment of students. Evidently Mrs. Fallis and Mrs. Duncan had visited the Parkin property to determine the items that should be used in furnishing these homes and had finalized this aspect of the restoration programme. The suggestion was made that perhaps they could co-ordinate their activities with the Historical Society with the latter providing the means to complete the furnishings. -2- 5. MR. L. T. JOHNSTON HAS DECLINED TO ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CATELOGUING THE MUSEM ARTIFACTS He had apparently been in touch with Mr. Miller explaining that he didn't feel that he could devote the necessary time to this project in the coming months. 6. Mr. Miller had been talking to Mr. Postill with reference to the plastering of the Oddfellows Hall. He hoped to start work following the July 1st weekend. Due to the pressure of work, progress will be sporatic but he hopes to have the job completed during August. 7. HISTORY IN ACTION - . Mrs. Earle reported that the Hiawatha Spinners were interested in coming back for this activity. They have requested that they be permitted to sell some of their weaving to defray their out of pocket expenses notably that of babysitting. The group saw no problem in this. Apparently Mr. Bowen was a member of a Barbershop Quartet and Mrs. Earle had discussed with him the possibility of the group performing during the History In Action festivities. She also mentioned the possibility of retaining other local talent such as two girls from the Bay Ridges area who were •� apparently quite talented in yodelling, performers such as the Madill sisters from Claremont, and any other local talent that might be interested in participating. The group agreed that such a venture would be very worthwhile and if at all possible the talent should be spread over the two days so that entertainment was provided during both afternoons. Mrs. Earle wondered whether the Board would be interested in having Mr. Bowen' s father set up a display of miniature steam engines that he had similar to one presently owned by the Museum. Noting that this would relieve some of the other participants for other duties, the Board suggested that he would be a welcome addition. In concluding the discussion it was agreed that Mrs. Earle work towards a budget of $100. with a view towards provid- ing entertainment for the History In Action weekend. 8. VENDING MACHINE - A suggestion that a vending machine would provide a service to the visitors to the grounds and also provide a small revenue was acceptable to the Board. The Secretary agreed to contact a local vending machine company to determine whether or not such an installation was possible. 9. Mr. James A. Taylor, Township Solicitor in a letter dated May the 27th advised that a Museum Board foundation could be established with a view towards providing capital for renovation programmes. The foundation would be an entirely separate financial institution established for the sole purpose of developing the Museum property. The responsibility for the operation of the Museum proper and the ownership of its assets could not be transferred to such a foundation and must remain the sole responsibility of the municipality. Conscious of the remarks by Mr. Ken Higgs of the Metro Region Conservation Authority made during a recent meeting „ on the property, the Board recognized the foundation as a -3- possible source of revenue for further development. Its establishment would nevertheless depend almost exclusively on the interest of influential citizens within the Township and their desire to raise funds for the Museum. 9. FUTURE OF THE MUSEUM - The members of the Board recognized that the time was fast approaching when they must establish firm guide lines and objectives for the future of the Museum. They were conscious of the many problems associated with their in- ,. volvement in many activities such as historic buildings, artifacts, steam engines and gasoline engines and the limited funds with which they had to develop these various items. Of paramount importance was the difficulty in supervising the different buildings that should be available to the public for viewing. One suggestion offered was that possibly only the Museum building proper, the log cabin, and perhaps the Oddfellows Hall should be open to the public during the regular hours of the Museum. Displays in the buildings would be of a nature that would discourage theft and vandalism and minimum supervision would be re- quired. Other buildings on the grounds could be opened at specific times and dates so that qualified people would be on hand not only to supervise the various displays but also answer the many questions that members of the public might have concerning them. It was hoped that firm policies concerning the aims and objectives of the Pickering Township Museum could be •„ crystalized in the very near future in order that future programmes could be properly directed. 10. FUTURE MEETING - During the evenings discussion it was apparent that the e need existed to re-organize several of the displays in the buildings to make the Museum of more interest to the public. Many of these jobs were small in nature but did require several people to complete them. With this thought in mind it was agreed that the next meeting of the Museum Board slated for July the 14th would be a work meeting in which the members would meet at the Museum Grounds at 7 :30 and complete the necessary re-arranging. It was hoped that there would be a good attendance. On motion the meeting adjourned. ._,1 DATED Chairman Secretary