WAVERLEY: Annie Blois Smith lived in Waverley for her entire life, and she was deeply passionate about its past. She founded the Waverley Heritage Museum to preserve its history.
Now, a shortage of volunteers means the museum that Smith so dearly loved is in danger of closing its doors forever.
“A museum isn’t an attic for storing old stuff. It is a trusted gathering place. It tells stories that connect visitors with others, both people of the past and neighbours here today,” said Waverley Heritage Society chairperson Pat Clahane. “If the museum closes, Waverley will lose a valuable link to its unique identity, which would be a shame.”
The museum is operated by the Heritage Society, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
“We have milestones to celebrate but it’s also bitter-sweet. Our leadership is about to retire and there is no one to carry on their responsibilities,” said Clahane.
The Society has a small board of directors and the majority can’t renew their terms again this spring. To continue operating the museum, new members are needed. If new officers aren’t found, the board of directors will be forced to stop the museum’s operations.
Housed in the former St. John Anglican Church building, which was built in 1862 and now belongs to the Waverley Community Association, the Waverley Heritage Museum contain a collection of artifacts and stories of the village’s role in the industrial age. Over the years the collection has grown, and today it contains hundreds of items.
The Museum tells the story of the first settlers who lived on farms along the shores of Lake Charles and Lake William, how Charles. P. Allen named his property after the Waverley novels by Sir Walter Scott, and how the community transformed after gold mining began in 1861. And lots of stories remain to be told.
“The Waverley Heritage Museum brings the community’s history to life, and the community is richer with its presence,” said Heritage Society secretary Judy Mallett.
Small community museums serve a valuable purpose, allowing residents and visitors to learn about events that have influenced and shaped the area and what makes the community unique. Being able to touch and interact with artifacts is a much more meaningful experience than simply reading about the past in books or online, said Mallett.
The outgoing board has tried for several years to recruit new volunteers to lead the museum into the future. The need is now critical for new board members to take office.
“If fresh board members don’t take office and implement a plan for managing operations in 2020, the current board will be forced to wind-up the museum.” said Clahane.
Anyone interested in keeping this important institution open by becoming a member of the board, please email the museum at waverleymuseum@gmail.com by September 30.
