The gleaming glass cases will arrive later this month at the Chilliwack Museum.
Museum officials have been fundraising, and planning for the conservation-grade exhibition cases for months now, said Matthew Francis, executive director of the Chilliwack Museum and Archives.
The renewal project will allow them to continue showcasing Chilliwack history in an exceptional light, and they will also mark the occasion of the Museum’s 60th Anniversary in 2017.
“In short: we need new exhibit cases – yesterday,” wrote Francis, in a blog post titled, ‘The Case for Cases’ in which he makes a community-wide plea for fundraising assistance.
“Thanks to the support of the Government of Canada’s Canadian Cultural Spaces Program, the City of Chilliwack, and the Chilliwack Foundation – all of which provided significant grants – our need is being met!”
The new cases are expected to roll off the truck at the end of October, and the museum exhibits will be transitioned into the flexible new display cases.
“These are the cases that we have been really needing for years, but they don’t just look pretty,” Francis said. “Built for us in Canada, they meet the highest standards for security, sustainability, and are designed to help us conserve your historic collections for the future.”
The first exhibit to feature the new display cases should be in place by early November.
But first they are making one last appeal to the Chilliwack community.
They still need to raise $24,000 by the end of the year.
“By letting the public know about this undertaking, we feel as though we are following in the footsteps of our founders, like Oliver Wells, who did fundraising for our first exhibit cases 60 years ago,” added Francis.
Funds have been raised from donors and sponsorships, including:
• Government of Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Cultural Spaces Fund), - $74,728
• The City of Chilliwack - $35,586
• The Chilliwack Foundation - $8,680
“Please consider joining us in our work to create a future for Chilliwack’s historic memories, moments, and artifacts.”
The total cost for 19 glass display cases is $142,000, and that constitutes “the largest purchase that the Chilliwack Museum and Historical Society has ever made,” he added.
The glass cases will be modular, custom-built, and of the highest quality.
READ MORE: Celebrating 60 years of Chilliwack history
To donate online go to http://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/chilliwack-museum-and-historical-society/, or pay by cheque, or in person at the Museum on Spadina at Main.
@chwkjourno
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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