Residents interested in helping to preserve and shape how local history is presented for the future can now make their voice heard. By joining the Museum’s Collection Committee, interested individuals will have a say in how the Huron County Museum & Historic Gaol grows, expands and diversifies the stories shared through the Museum’s unique collection.
The County of Huron invites applications for open position(s) on the Huron County Museum & Historic Gaol’s Collections Committee. The positions are for volunteer community members from Huron County. The committee welcomes applicants that represent different communities, backgrounds, age groups, and cultures across Huron County, including newcomers and generational residents. Volunteer terms are for one, two, or three years with the potential of two consecutive terms.
The Huron County Museum’s collection is built from community donations from people, homes and businesses across Huron, following a collections policy and mandate.
“This is a great opportunity for those who are passionate about Huron County’s ongoing history and heritage.” said Acting Director of Cultural Services Elizabeth French-Gibson “If you love material culture, and want to engage others with the memories, stories and community ties that can be evoked so powerfully by objects from the past then this is a great opportunity for you!”
The Collections Committee presents a volunteer opportunity that is short on time-commitment, but makes a long-term impact on how our community recognizes, prioritizes and preserves history close to home.
The purpose of the Collections Committee is to advise County Council with respect to matters pertaining to the Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol collection. Recommendations include review of short and long-term planning regarding collections, site policies in relation to collection development, and requirements of the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries’ Museum standards.
“When I was a child, a visit to the pioneer museum, which is what we called it then, was a confirmation that you don’t throw anything out; there was a story or use to every item,” said Collections Committee member Rhea Hamilton-Seeger, who shared what this volunteer experience has taught her. “As a member of the Collections Committee, I now get to learn more of the stories and appreciate what people collect and donate. One of the criteria for items to be in the Collection is that they relate to our [Huron County] history. While I would like to keep everything, there are some unique pieces that simply don’t relate. The staff of the Huron County Museum and this committee work hard to ensure a home is secured where these items do relate. A very interesting committee to be a part of and I have been able to share some of the stories with friends and better understand my local museum and how it teaches us, and reminds us, of our history.”
Be an active part of the Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol’s mission to engage our community in preserving, sharing, and fostering Huron County culture! The time commitment for volunteering is limited to attendance at committee meetings held every third month, generally on Tuesday mornings as scheduled by the Committee.
Those interested in applying for the volunteer position of Huron County Museum Collections Committee Member can submit a written application by Monday, June 28, 2021 to:
Acting Senior Curator
Huron County Museum & Historic Gaol
110 North St., Goderich, ON, N7A 2T8
museum [@] huroncounty.ca
To learn more about the Huron County Museum & Historic Gaol’s collections: