Event planned to ‘Heat the Historeum’
The Colchester Historeum is an outstanding part of downtown Truro.
Heating the building that houses this valuable asset sees the annual energy cost exceed $17,000. Hoping to get the public’s support to help cover costs, an important day is being planned. It was good to hear firsthand from people involved, about the plan.
Ken Henderson, a former music and social studies teacher of 30 years at Truro
Junior High School, is the conductor of both the Truro Concert Band and Pictou
County Orchestra. The local musician has also had a lengthy involvement with the Barbershop Choir. But in arranging to meet with Henderson late last week, it was not about music or his playing the clarinet; it was about his involvement with the Colchester Historeum.
“We are promoting an event ‘Heat The Historeum’ as part of Giving Tuesday,” said Henderson, 70, of Truro, and a member of the planning committee. “Funding is needed for the Historeum; heating is an important issue with the museum staying open all 12 months.”
Henderson explained the important day is Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the Historeum, with the event running 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. What promises to be a fun-filled day will have entertainment, refreshments and special guests. Performances will include the Happy Harmonies, the Flirtatious Five, Bob & CJ and other entertainers.
“I believe there’s an important message to get out there,” said Henderson. “The Historeum is an important community asset on many levels – education, recreation and tourism related. It’s a place where the community gets together. The recent booklet by
Janet Maybe, Colchester To The Rescue, wouldn’t have been possible without the resources here at the museum.”
Henderson said the Historeum sees itself as part of a community of downtown institutions such as the Farmers’ Market and the Truro Public Library and the opportunities presented by the Civic Square.
“Mayor Bill Mills will proclaim November 28, 2017 as Giving Tuesday in Truro. This is indigenous of the importance the Town of Truro attaches to the presence of the Historeum down town.”
There is free admission to tie in with Giving Tuesday the annual national giving day, part of the Canadian movement for giving, volunteering and collectively asking people to do something for their community. It’s a day when companies and individuals join together and rally for important causes.
Donations can be made to the Historeum, as visitors can pick up volunteer application forms. Contributions will be accepted, with a donation box near the entrance.
“There are many ways to support the Historeum,” curator Margaret Mulrooney said.
“One way is purchasing an annual membership and you can take advantage of our great programming exhibits and archival resources.”
Terry White, who taught history at CEC from 1970 until 1997, has been volunteering at the Historeum for 44 years, and is president of the local Historical Society.
“Giving Tuesday will give us the chance to continue the great work in history and genealogy year round for the benefit of the people of Colchester,” White said. “We think we are a good fit for the Civic Square and a perfect fit for our new library next door. The library has been built on history and we’ve done that too, by breathing life into the old Normal College Science Building.
“The Historical Society and museum is a great source of information — history, sports, genealogy, politics, architecture and so on. Events big and small, it’s been great these 40 plus-years.” Longtime, dedicated volunteer Beth Johnson is also positive.
“This past summer we had visitors from the Western United States, Dublin, Ireland and Scotland. This was definitely encouraging; we are proceeding in the direction we always wanted to go. We want to get the word out there about Tuesday, November 28; working together we can heat the Historeum.”
Curator Mulrooney said a highlight of 2017 was having a group of students from CEC researching and putting together a mini exhibit called “Truro Then And Now.”
“We hope to have that partnership again in the spring,” Mulrooney said. “We will also have other school programs.”
Visitors to the Historeum can enjoy the exhibit “Colchester To The Rescue” on the third floor, until Jan. 26. The main gallery features the core exhibit. “Colchester -Life In The Heart Of Nova Scotia.”
More than 300 members belong to the Colchester Historeum and there are more than 60 active volunteers.