Early in 1958, just after our organization was established – the Chilliwack Museum and Historical Society President, Oliver Wells, did what all good Museum leaders do at some point: he sent out a fundraising letter.
SPOILER ALERT! That’s what this blog post is really about too.
But why don’t we have some good ole’ historical fun while we’re at it, eh?
Oliver Wells served as the founding Chairman of the Chilliwack Museum and Historical Society.
In that letter, Mr. Wells made a very logical point:
“…we must be able to give assurance that [valuable historical material] will be safely stored and displayed.”
Oliver Wells fundraising letter, February, 1958.
Some things have not changed. Then, as now, this is still one of the most basic principles of preservation and conservation. Museums have a responsibility to care for their collections. We have been doing just that here in Chilliwack for sixty years.
The Chilliwack Museum and Archives cares for:
- Over one million items in our Archival records, including hundreds of thousands of photographic images. Our Archives are a trusted repository, well-respected by historians and researchers;
- Over ten thousand historic objects – also known as artifacts or belongings, each one shedding light upon a unique person, place, memory, or moment that matters to Chilliwack – to you.
Did you know, however, that less than 1% of our collection is exhibited at any given time? Why?
- For starters, there just isn’t enough gallery space in our National Historic Site Museum building to exhibit too much more of the collection in a way that ensure artifact conservation, AND;
- The existing cases that we have were not purpose-built for the task of displaying many of the more vulnerable objects from our collections.
From the late 1950s until now, our skilled and creative professional staff have done their very best, working with the kinds of exhibit cases that we have had available. Many of these have been greatly appreciated hand-me-downs, cascaded to us from other institutions, such as the Museum of Vancouver.
In other cases, we have had cases purpose-built for our exhibitions by local carpenters – with plywood structure, plinths and plexi-glass. They look pretty good, and do a serviceable job of presenting your historic objects (which we steward for the public good).
The cases we have, however, are not built to last forever, and do not fully achieve the kinds of conservation standards that Chilliwack’s significant material culture truly deserves. They don’t have the kinds of security features we expect today, such as hidden cam-locks, and they don’t offer the same level of environmental protection (from such factors as UV light, moisture, pests, contact) to ensure fragile and precious materials are safeguarded for future generations.
Back in 2011, when the Archives facility was expanded at Evergreen Hall, you helped us to acquire high-quality, rolling, shelving. This shelving, however, is intended for storage, and not for exhibition purposes.
Objects in our artifact collection, in our secure artifact storage facility at Evergreen Hall.
In short: we need new exhibit cases – yesterday.
Thanks to the support of the Government of Canada’s Canadian Cultural Spaces Program, the City of Chilliwack, and the Chilliwack Foundation – all of which provided significant grants – our need is being met!
The new cases are expected to arrive in late October, and our exhibits will transition into them, with our next exhibit opening into them in early November, 2017.
Modular cases very similar to the ones being produced for the Chilliwack Museum and Archives.
The Chilliwack Museum and Archives will soon have the highest quality, Canadian-made exhibit cases, which will strengthen our curatorial program for decades to come. Custom-constructed to meet our local needs by the highly regarded Zone Display Cases, nineteen (19!) new exhibit cases will give us tremendous flexibility to show you more of our rich collections.
Best of all, many of these units are completely modular, allowing for set-up in a broad range of different ways, allowing for versatility. You will be able to connect with your history in an amazing new way!
So now, following in Mr. Well’s footsteps, I’m going to let you all know…
We need your help!
The total cost for 19 cases is $142, 000, and that is the largest purchase that the Chilliwack Museum and Historical Society has ever made. While we have raised over $100, 000 to date, we still need to raise just over $30, 000 in 2017 to complete the exhibit case project. Will you partner with us?
If you’d like to give to honour or in memory of someone special, recognition opportunities are available.
Thank you for the amazing generosity of those caring individuals and Chilliwack businesses that have already contributed.
No gift is too small – every contribution makes a difference!
For all the details, you can check out our Chilliwack Museum 60th Annivesary – Case Renewal Legacy Project.
How to give?
- Make your gift easily and securely ONLINE through our Chilliwack Museum and Archives Canada Helps Page:
- By Mail…
Send your cheque to:
Chilliwack Museum and Archives
45820 Spadina Avenue
Chilliwack, BC, V2P 1T3
- By Phone – Give us a call!
Our phone number is (604) 795-5210.
- In Person
Drop by the Museum during opening hours.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, Matthew Francis, Executive Director, any time.
- matthew@chilliwackmuseum.ca or (604) 795-5210 ext. 101.
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