Arnprior and District Museum benefits from some federal government grants

Posted Sep 8, 2011 By Kathryn Glynn

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Later, Carlile showed off the new 'Doors of Arnprior' poster. A contest is planned in conjunction with the sale of the post, unveiled for the first time at the White Pine Festival.

Kathryn Glynn, Arnprior EMC

Later, Carlile showed off the new 'Doors of Arnprior' poster. A contest is planned in conjunction with the sale of the post, unveiled for the first time at the White Pine Festival.

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Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallnat and Arnprior and District Museum curator Janet Carlile admire the new gardens outside the museum.Gallant came to see the gardnnes and recognize the summer students employed with the help of a Young Canada Works grant through Heritage Canada.

Kathryn Glynn, Arnprior EMC

Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallnat and Arnprior and District Museum curator Janet Carlile admire the new gardens outside the museum.Gallant came to see the gardnnes and recognize the summer students employed with the help of a Young Canada Works grant through Heritage Canada.

EMC News - The Arnprior and District Museum acknowledged three federal grants during a tour of the facility last Thursday.

Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant was on hand to see the completion of the accessible washroom, the installation of new gardens and recognize two summer students employed with the help of a Young Canada Works grant through Heritage Canada.

"Every time I visit the museum it is more interesting thanks to the work you, the board and volunteers do," Gallant told museum curator Janet Carlile.

"It comes down to volunteers," Carlile said, adding the museum currently has 80 volunteers.

"It's good for high school students and good for us. Many take ownership of a project and do more than the required 40 hours. Sometimes we see them the beginning of grade nine to the end of grade 12, putting in 300 hours" Carlile said.

She highlighted the 363 volunteers that helped to make the Prince in the Prior re-enactment such a success last year.

"The Prince of Wales was important from an historical perspective. There were 3,000 people here that day making it clear that heritage is a popular tourist event. I think the government is seeing heritage's importance," she said.

The museum has been fortunate with federal grants.

With the completion of the accessible washroom, plans are underway to create an accessible ramp into the building from John Street.

New gardens installed along the side of the museum include a bench from which to enjoy the scene and take a break.

"There aren't a lot of prettier places in town to sit," Carlile said.

A selection of winter hardy plants will provide year -long colour and easy maintenance. A plaque to commemorate the Prince of Wales visit will be added at a later date.

The museum's summer program for youth was a resounding success this year with 80 per cent enrolment.

"We've leveraged social media this year for the first time. The creation of a facebook fan page has attracted healthy numbers," museum board chair Scott Catterill said. "We want to get the word out to a younger demographic."

The museum launched its 'Doors of Arnprior' at the White Pine Festival. A poster depicting 25 doors including the museum's own doors is being sold for $5 or $25 for a numbered copy. The museum will hold a contest in conjunction with the sale of the poster for those that can identify the address of each door and a draw to determine the winner. The lucky candidate will open the museum doors for the 2012 season.

The project began last year with photographer Sara Rodger. Copies are available from the museum.