October 13, 2000 Museum is for North Bay and area

The North Bay Area Museum (NBAM), as the name implies, does not just serve North Bay, but includes the city's environs. 

There are several seasonal museums in the area that do an excellent job. The NBAM is open year round, with a full-time curator and an education director, some part-time help and a full program of events and activities. This week's column will review what the museum has to offer to you in the Community Voices area. 

The original museum, in a former school building on Lakeshore Drive, was opened in 1977. When the school board decided to build the Sunset Park Elementary School there, the museum board relocated the museum temporarily to 171 Main St. West and put much of its material in storage. Curator Pam Handley was the driving force through these years. When Pam retired, Ed Driedger, with an Honours degree in History, a Master's degree in Museum Studies and several years experience, was appointed by the museum board as curator to develop and manage the museum. Sandra (Shaw) Minor was hired as the education director.

Purchased new home

The new building has an architecturally planned renovation schedule to ultimately provide a wide variety of uses, including retail space, display areas, galleries, meeting rooms, archival work areas, offices, storage, etc. 
 

North Bay Area Museum Curator Ed Driedger in the retail shop at the museum in downtown North Bay.

When you enter the museum you are in a retail space providing a wide variety of interesting gifts. The display area is directly behind this retail space. This area currently showcases "Hometown Reflections" featuring a variety of material from the our past. A large 2500 square foot gallery space is currently being developed for quality visiting exhibitions from a variety of outside sources.

The museum's philosophy is expressed in their theme "Where History and Community Meet." This is not a static museum where you pass through, look and leave. The board believes in a strong interactive educational component. 

Their 2000-2001 educational program guide lists nine units geared to parts of the curriculum in grades JK to eight. 

A special "teacher's day" was held to provide the teachers with information on these units. A new educational kit on logging history has been developed and can be borrowed for home or school study. There are special programs for Remembrance Day and Christmas, and a Heritage program is featured during Heritage Week in February.

Educational programs

The museum sponsored a bus trip where two buses went to the Royal Ontario Museum to view the special Egyptian exhibit. A bus trip to the Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec will take place on October 21st where a range of exhibits may be seen, including a possible side trip to the National Art Gallery.

As a full time operation the NBAM can do things that other museums in the area can't. I attended an authors workshop there last year that was highly informative and provided an opportunity to meet other authors with an interest in history. The Ontario Museum Association recently provided a course at the museum as a part of their Museum Workers Certification Program. 

Nipissing MP Bob Wood recently announced a $20,000 grant from the Federal Museum Assistance Program to provided travelling exhibits of the work of Northern Ontario museums on a rotating basis around the area. Thias is a co-operative venture of museums in Kirkland Lake, Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie. The Blue Sky economic partnership is trying to have the thirty member Mining Cluster develop a mining display at the museum.

The old CPR railway station at the waterfront has potential as a nearby satellite to the museum where an interactive transportation theme can be developed. The city now has control over the building and Ed Driedger has met with the City to develop this long term project. 

The museum is very dependant on its volunteers who help in a variety of ways. Anyone with the time and interest should speak to the curator about a possible contribution.

Funding major issue

There are many advantages to membership outlined in their membership brochure available at the museum. The museum, by the way, is wheelchair accessible.

In terms of pending activity, the museum is participating in the Mad Hatter's Tea Party this Saturday October 14th from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Capitol Centre, 150 Main St East. This is sponsored by the Capitol Ideas Committee that has developed a workshop/performance day that will interest children, and is tied to the school curriculum. For further information contact the Capitol Centre at 474-4747.

There is also a Family Day at the museum on October 28th and a special Remembrance Day program on November 11th. The Museum will also have a booth and raffle at the Northern Artisans Craft Show at the Pinewood on October 29th. Drop in and pick up a membership and other information. 

For information on the museum call 476-2323 or contact them by e-mail at nbamchin@vianet.on.ca.

Remember that this is the North Bay AREA Museum, which means that it is YOUR museum, so use it and support the place where "history and community meet." 

Heritage Perspective Home Page