Blind River’s Timber Village Museum was officially re-opened Sunday with an official ribbon cutting at its new location at the town marina.
Museum manager and curator Ashley Young officially welcomed a small crowd attending the ceremony that included Mayor Sally Hagman, members of council, Rotary Club members including president Ross Jensen and Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha. Hagman, Jensen, and Young officially cut the ribbon.
It’s taken about four weeks for town staff and volunteers to relocate museum artifacts to the marina building after the original Timber Village Museum building off Highway 17 was condemned.
Young said that along with museum artifacts the marina building also holds an art gallery, gift shop and dining area to attract residents and visitors to the community. She recognized the work being done by the local Rotary Club to create 12 interpretive historical panels as part of the exhibits.
The panels recognize the varied and rich history of Blind River and area, Rotary president Jensen said. The club contributed $2,000 toward the project with a matching grant coming from Rotary International. Four of the panels are in place with the remaining to be completed this year.
The museum originated in 1967 and has been located at several sites before making its home in the building recently vacated.
“Timber Village has very much become a community museum.” Young said and is also home for a wide range of research by students and workshops dealing with town and area history.
Young thanked all of the community supporters who have helped see the museum grow.
“One year ago, no one could have envisioned that we would be standing here today at the Blind River Marine Park to welcome the grand opening of the Timber Village Museum at its new location,” Mayor Hagman said of the relocation.
She noted the condition of the old building made it inaccessible to those with disabilities, was poorly insulated, had washroom facilities in the basement with no lift to access them, and faulty plumbing that often froze in the winter months and dampness which could ruin artifacts. There was also concern about the curator working alone in the building. The final decision to move the museum came after the severe snow fall this winter which further deteriorated the aging building.
Mayor Hagman told Elliot Lake Today that council is considering what to do with the building as it looks for reports by municipal staff on the status of several municipal buildings.
“The writing was on the walls at the old location,” she said, after Hagman and council toured the vacated building in December.
“It is for these reasons that staff and council proposed this new location as it addresses all concerns mentioned earlier,” the mayor added.
“Your new Timber Village Museum is accessible to those with disabilities. It is central to the community which encourages students and visitors travelling by foot, boat, bike and vehicle better access. It addresses heating, water and humidity elements and it is located in a location surrounded by the beauty of the North Channel.”
Mayor Hagman also took the opportunity to thank staff and volunteers for the work needed to accommodate the move.
MPP Mantha also brought greetings from Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes who was unable to attend the ceremony.
“Museums, like theatres and libraries, are a means to freedom,” Mantha said.
He said the new museum location will be a focal point for boaters, visitors and residents.