Curator’s Report

Peter Marrek completed his exhibition and removed his photographs on Friday, October 30, 2009. We had sales in excess of $900.00 for his show.

Hunter presented a Remembrance Day program to the Rotary Club of Midland on Wednesday, November 11th. Ian Ferguson had done an excellent video presentation of Huronia Museum military photos and a slide show entitled “Bringing the Valour Home”. Rod Ferguson then presented Hunter with a cheque from an anonymous donor of $4622.84 for the medals fund.

Hunter spoke to the Midland and area Newcomers Club at the museum on the Wednesday, November 18, 2009.

Hunter ran a historical questionnaire for Friday, November 20, 2009 for Cheryl Webb who in turn will donate $500.00 towards the museum.

We have had a rash of break-ins beginning Sunday Nov 8, Nov 9 and Nov 10th. The first was a rear window in the Armstrong trailer where used light tubes were taken and smashed around the village, the rear door to the village was smashed allowing entry into the village where furs, poles and a shaman’s staff were removed (was later recovered outside). The second night saw another rear window smashed and a number of articles were removed such as the tea, coffee, coffee-maker etc. ServiceMaster came and replaced the windows with plywood covers and cleaned up. The third night our flags were removed and the poles were bent and then were used to damage the fins on our air conditioning units. The police have been called each morning–but they attribute it to youths in the park doing what they do best, destroying property for no good reason.

Jamie and Genevieve have installed new military exhibits into BMO and TD Canada Trust in order to honour Remembrance Day.

Jamie has met with Steve Ostrowski of the Firearms Inspection Office of the OPP to check up on outstanding issues.

Jamie met with Kim Jaiko to provide details on a Midewinin Cradle Board that they “may” donate to the museum.

Jamie attended a noon meeting at the North Simcoe Futures office to discuss funding programs.

Miles Blackhurst, Nahanni Born and Jamie Hunter made a formal presentation to the Budget Committee of the Town of Midland on Wednesday October 28, 2009. Judy Contin was Chair of the budget process this year and we used our time to ask Council for $75,000 and a number of in-kind services that they provide. Gord Mackey wanted to know why our fundraising expenses were so high, and we told him partly because of our film series expenses, Heritage Dinner expenses and bingo workers expenses. Council members seemed pleased with the museums performance this year. Miles thanked Council for all their support and Nahannni went through all the financial details and prepared the report which was distributed to all 11 Council members and 2 members of the press. Hunter reviewed the artifacts, education, exhibit and research aspects.

Jamie Hunter and Jo-Ann Knicely are attending a coin appraisal, conservation and evaluation seminar at Humber College on Saturday, November 21, 2009. This is hosted by Brian Cornwell and Sue Maltby. This seminar will allow participants to evaluate and understand coin values and how they are established.