Great news comes in threes!
As if the recent arrival of spring and Easter-tide weren’t reasons enough to celebrate, the Brome County Historical Society has had some great news this month that merits popping the cork and pouring the champagne!
Firstly, as was reported in the Brome County News last week, the BCHS recently received a donation of one thousand dollars from the Knowlton Lions Club. The Lions Club have been steadfast supporters of the society for many years and their continued generosity enables us to better fulfill our commitment to preserving and promoting the early history of Brome County.
Secondly, the BCHS has been granted funding from the MRC Pacte Brome-missisquoi for an ambitious project that is scheduled to take part this fall. Titled “Trophies and Treasures,” it begins with the taking of a complete inventory of our museum’s vast and varied Great War collections, including the German “Trophies” that were acquired by Senator George G. Foster immediately after the war and the Canadian “Treasures” that were donated by the families and friends of Brome County soldiers in the decades since.
The inventory will lead to the creation of both a digital catalogue and an online exhibit as well as an in-house exhibit that will wrap up our years-long Great War commemorations. As the general condition of the artifacts will be assessed as they are inventoried, those in need of special care will be identified and treated accordingly, assuring that the Brome County Museum’s “Trophies and Treasures” endure for generations beyond the centenary of the Great War.
Thirdly, the BCHS has received confirmation from the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec that our request for accreditation has been granted! An acknowledgement that our archives adhere to accepted professional standards and practices, the BANQ accreditation is welcome recognition after several decades of archives collection, conservation, and cataloguing by dedicated volunteers like Ernest M. Taylor, Harry B. Shufelt, and Marion L. Phelps, and staff member Arlene Royea.
Royea worked closely with Phelps for years before becoming the managing director and the archivist of the BCHS. In recent years, she has been assisted by Abbey Lacroix, the part-time archives technician who is largely responsible for securing the BANQ accreditation. Both women are pleased with the well-deserved recognition and look forward to continuing their important work in the Brome County archives.
For further information about the BCHS Museum and Archives, including our current special exhibit and upcoming events, please call 450-243-6782 or visit bromemuseum.com.