The Harriston Historical Society (HHS) is seeking financial support from the Town of Minto in order to create a local museum/archive in a vacant storefront in the town.
Minto council already indicated support for a plan to set aside 1,000 square feet for the archive project in an upcoming expansion of the Harriston Branch of the Wellington County Public Library.
However, with the library project not in the county’s draft budget until 2012, society members feel they need space now to house the vast amount of historical material they have already collected.
The collection contains, “documents and private and commercial details,” that would otherwise be lost, HHS member Kim MacKenzie stated at the Jan. 11 council meeting.
The HHS, which has been operating a “travelling museum” by placing displays of photographs, information and artefacts in local storefronts, celebrated its first anniversary in October and has already been incorporated as a non-profit organization.
MacKenzie told council the society has found a vacant storefront in Harriston, which would provide about 800 square feet for the facility until the library expansion is completed.
Although he declined to specify which building was under consideration, MacKenzie said the cost of the space would total about $570 per month and is available on a month by month basis.
“That’s well within the budget discussed with the previous council. This is the right time for our community to move on this,” said MacKenzie.
In response to questions from council members, MacKenzie said the society would be open to storing and displaying historical items from other parts of Minto.
The request sparked questions from councillors about the level of support the town provides, or could be asked to provide, for other Minto historical organizations.
Treasurer Gordon Duff pointed out the municipality has “invested a lot of capital,” in the Palmerston Railway Museum facility. The town charges the museum committee $3,000 a year in rent for the facility, but noted that rent was not collected last year.
While Clifford has an active historical society, they don’t have a building and don’t’ receive support from the town, Duff noted.
Councillor Ron Elliott rejected the suggestion that council would be expected to provide exactly the same level of support for historical groups in all four former municipalities that make up Minto.
“I believe each community will be unique. If we have to deal with this four times, then we will deal with it uniquely,” he stated.
Mayor George Bridge said he expects council will deal with the request at the next council meeting.
“I believe they are looking for an answer as soon as possible,” Bridge said.
