Here's Something

By Sandra Bolan Feb 18, 2012 - 10:17 AM
You can get first look at museum on Family Day

Whitchurch-Stouffville things to do

The Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum is finally open to the public.
But the expansion is still not quite complete.
“We are very, very close. We have occupancy. Just like any other new building, there’s a lot of deficiencies. ... It’s getting there,” said museum curator Stephanie Foley.
The newly expanded facility re-opened without any fanfare Jan. 1.
The expansion consists of a 9,000-square-foot addition that connects the existing Bogarttown Schoolhouse and Vandorf Public School buildings, creating barrier-free access to all three spaces from inside.
The additional space has enabled museum staff to create a discovery room for the first time that is filled with hands-on items.
There is also a dedicated exhibition gallery that is humidity and temperature controlled, which means the museum will be able to rent exhibitions from the federal and provincial governments, according to Ms Foley.
“They have a lot stricter regulations on where their exhibits go so we can bring these in now,” she said.
There is also an artifact receiving room and research room so people doing genealogical explorations no longer have to sit at a museum staff member’s desk or in one of the school desks, according to Ms Foley.
In expanding the museum, the Vandorf Community Hall across the road became redundant and was sold by the town with the intention that whatever activities took place in that hall, would now be accommodated at the fully accessible museum.
“We’re really excited about the possibilities it means for the community,” Ms Foley said.
The first official event at the revamped museum was the PA day workshop Feb. 3.
But the first event open to the public will be Monday during Family Day at the Museum.
Children can create heritage crafts and tour the historical buildings. Admission is $2 because children can take home their crafts.
The next event to take place at the museum will be History Hands-On in Winter.
Visitors can experience life as it was 100 years ago with pioneer-like chores. People can also help prepare treats in the farmhouse kitchen and complete a lesson on a slate in the 19th century classroom.
A pancake and ham brunch will be served March 25 at the museum, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. complete with locally produced maple syrup.
Eric Carle’s children’s book, Pancakes, Pancakes!, will be read by local story teller Susan Murray.
The cost for brunch is $6 for adults, $3 for children under 12.
Unless otherwise noted, until the museum holds its official grand re-opening in June, there will be no admission charges levied, according to Ms Foley.
“Things are not 100-per-cent ready to go. We are physically in the building (but exhibitions are not fully ready) ... it’s not really fair to charge people,” Ms Foley said of the museum board’s decision.
Ms Foley hopes with a revamped museum, people will be interested in obtaining memberships, which entitle users to free admission, newsletters as well as discounts on adult and children’s’ programs as well as special events.
Membership fees range from $7 to $42.
For more information, go to www.townofws.com/museum.asp