OLDS — The Olds Historical Society (OHS), which operates Mountain View Museum and Archives, has two projects on the go and has applied for a grant to undertake a third one.
The two projects underway are renovating its garage into another display space and turning its courtyard into something pioneers in the community would have created.
The society has also applied for a grant from the UFA (United Farmers Of Alberta) Foundation to construct a building that would link the garage and garden and provide another display space.
OHS president Donna Erdman made the announcement during a presentation at an Olds council policies and priorities meeting last month.
In an interview, Erdman explained she was not asking the town for money for those projects but rather giving council an update on what the society has been doing because it receives funding from the town.
The garden
The garden is located on the east side of the Alberta Government Telephone Building.
Edrman told councillors that in the past few years it has been neglected, due to water issues, building repairs and lack of volunteers.
Now it is being turned into a garden typical of those that were planted by pioneer Olds residents.
The old garden has been cleaned up, and mulched to retain moisture and deter weed growth.
Planters as well as a wooden fence and gate were built.
A bench was donated by the Robb family and installed in the garden after being sanded and refinished.
The bench was originally located on 50th Avenue between the Victoria Hotel and the Public Lunch in the 1950s.
In the spring, the project will be completed when heritage plants are installed.
“These will be labelled, with the garden becoming a self-guided experience,” Erdman said.
She said the garden will then be dedicated as the Donna Coonfer Memorial Heritage Garden, a tribute to former board member and volunteer Donna Coonfer, who had created and maintained the original garden.
Garage educational space
The other main project underway is turning the facility’s garage into an educational centre.
“Modern museums are interactive and the educational experience is to their guests.
"These experiences are what make museums come alive and attract visitors.
"The goal of the garage educational centre is to provide the opportunity to experience aspects of pioneer life,” Erdman said.
So far, the garage has been cleaned out. It has also been drywalled. Wiring has been updated and now includes LED lighting.
Cabinets and display cases have been ordered, as well as additional tables and chairs. The cement floor will be power-washed and sealed.
In the future, the society hopes to offer classes which will be advertised.
Plans call for the museum to offer activities such as rope-making, canning and preserving, and gardening.
“This type of programming supports the museum’s mandate for inclusivity, sustainability and education,” she said.
“Through workshops, classes, demonstrations and displays, the public will gain a greater appreciation of history and heritage of Olds.”
Link building
However, the garage does not have plumbing and Erdman said the cost to install that is “prohibitive.”
People can access washrooms and water in the museum. However, that means the museum must be open when the garage is in use.
The garage does not have a security system.
To solve those problems, plus provide even more display space, the society is hoping to have a link building constructed which would join the garage and museum.
They’ve applied to the UFA Foundation for a $49,000 grant to cover the cost of the project.
Council voted to accept Erdman’s report for information.
Community services director Doug Wagstaff told council a grant the society receives from the town expires at the end of this calendar year.
He said that grant will be up for discussion as the town’s budget is hammered out.
“This report shows with adequate and consistent funding, our museum can remain a vital part of the heritage and culture of Olds,” Erdman said.
“Sounds like you’ve got lots of great things planned for the museum and I look forward to that,” Coun. Mary Anne Overwater said.
