Financial support from the municipality plays a pivotal role in helping to ensure the Sundre and District Museum remains an appealing asset that draws people from around the world.
This was part of the message presented by William Davies, the museum’s interim executive director, who addressed council during the Sept. 23 meeting.
Reading from a letter to council signed by himself as well as Ken Walker, the vice-president of the Sundre and District Historical Society, who was unable to attend as he was out harvesting ahead of forecasted snow, Davies expressed gratitude on behalf of the society for the town’s ongoing support.
Referring to a recent story published in the Round Up featuring the broad range of nationalities of people who have visited the museum, Davies said, “We believe the Sundre and District Museum and World of Wildlife continues to be a community asset, amazing many visitors who visit the museum along with all that Sundre and area has to offer.”
The municipality’s annual funding, as well as its program that provides grants to community organizations through an application process, contribute substantially towards sustaining the museum’s operations, he said.
“In celebrating the way we were, the Sundre and District Museum continues to preserve and communicate Sundre and area’s unique place in Alberta’s rural history.”
Coun. Richard Warnock, acting deputy mayor, called the museum “a blessing for the community,” and added, “We find that exciting when visitors come from as far away as Norway.”
Warnock recounted a story about a couple he briefly met at the museum who visited from Norway, searching for communities named after towns and places in Norway, such as Bergen and even Sundre.
“But they mentioned that the main reason that they picked Sundre was the wildlife exhibit, so that’s out there and it’s good to know.”
Coun. Charlene Preston added that over the summer she hosted friends from Japan, and that an originally planned one-hour tour of the museum took three times longer than expected because her friend’s daughter was captivated by everything to see there.
“It’s an incredible place,” said Preston, adding the museum offers an “up front, close and personal” experience.
Coun. Rob Wolfe extended his appreciation for the time Davies and Walker took in submitting the letter.
“We don’t get very many of these for all the money that we do give out for funding,” said Wolfe, who said he looks forward to continue working with the historical society.
Council unanimously carried a motion accepting Davies’ presentation for information.
