The Mount Forest Museum and Archives celebrated Heritage Week and its recently-completed renovations by inviting the public and local dignitaries to a reception last Saturday.
The space, in the former Post Office building at the corner of Main and Wellington Streets, has been closed since October.
Artifacts including an 800-pound safe originally owned by Dr. Gilroy and numerous display cases were moved out and new flooring installed in the expanded display area.
The museum and archives now boasts a dedicated workroom and office space, as well as the always-popular Jean Weber Reading Room.
The new flooring was the result of a $10,000 grant from the Township of Wellington North. The museum and archives board paid $200 to have the space painted.
Various museum and archives volunteers, their spouses and friends helped with all aspects of the renovations, from moving the displays out to moving them back in.
“The new office layout and new workroom are loved by our volunteers,” Kate Rowley, who has worked tirelessly at the museum and archives over the years, told those at the Feb. 20 open house.
Rowley said the new display area is “a little more professional, way more welcoming … an easier space to visit and work in. We can continue to grow in this space.”
She added, “The Jean Weber room has become a very cherished place where friends meet and history is discussed,” noting the renovations are part of “what Jean saw for us, and left for us to do.”
Weber, a long-time Mount Forest councillor, had the vision of a Mount Forest Museum and Archives and was instrumental in obtaining the Old Post office in the town’s downtown core as its location.
The area that once housed the council chamber – the old Post Office was the location of the Mount Forest council chambers and staff offices prior to amalgamation – was named in Weber’s honour.
Head archivist Pauline Brown, who was a close friend of Weber’s has been part of the museum and archives since its inception, said the board was “very fortunate” to have council behind the project since the start.
She said Weber worked with Wellington North council and councillor Dan Yake, appointed as council liaison in 2002, to obtain the old Post Office to house the museum and archives.
Yake was described on Saturday as “one of the strongest supporters of a museum in our town.”
The Mount Forest Museum and Archives opened in 2013.
Former Mayor Mike Broomhead, who recently died, was also remembered as “a key champion” of the museum and archives during his time as a municipal politician.
“The museum board has been very fortunate ever since its inception because council has been behind us,” Brown said.
She welcomed Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox, several other council members and some township staff to Saturday’s gathering.
“Teamwork is essential and we have a well-oiled team working very favourably together,” Brown said.
Currently on display at the Mount Forest Museum and Archives is Our Sports Heritage, curated by Marlene Markle.
The Museum and Archives recently initiated what it calls “the Arena Photo Project (whereby) history comes to the hockey rink.” Historic pictures have been enlarged and displayed in the lobby of the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex.
The Mount Forest Museum and Archives, operated by the Mount Forest Heritage Society, is open on Wednesdays from 1 to 5pm, with tentative plans to open on Saturdays.
According to its website, genealogists and visitors will find cemetery records, family histories, photographs and historic memorabilia from schools, service clubs and Sports teams. Volunteers provide support through on-line searches, photocopying and assisting.
“The museum is where we are preserving the past for the future,” the website states.
