COBALT - Representatives of several district historical organizations met in Cobalt on Oct. 9 to form a picture of how they could help strengthen the preservation of area history by working together.
"The interest has exceeded our expectations," said volunteer Felicity Buckell in an email.
Tentatively named Northeastern Ontario Heritage, one of the projects the group has discussed is the digitizing of area artefacts and information.
Buckell stated that at this time the group wants to learn what level of interest exists for this and other projects.
She said already it is clear there is strong interest.
"We had intended to ask 'who is in' at the end of the meeting. We didn't even need to ask - it was crystal clear that everyone was keen."
"Museums and heritage organizations are vital not only for individual community members, the communities and region as a whole but also for visitors to the area,” said Buckell, who works with the Cobalt Mining Museum.
“They preserve, collect, share, and research our artefacts and stories; build a sense of community, identity, and place; help us understand and learn from our past; are central for information sharing and education; help share our stories beyond the region; and are often a pillar of tourism in their community - and here is where we see the direct connection between bringing dollars into our communities, which we all know is a big help."
Other people who are interested in the regional organization, are invited to contact the new group.
"Let us know if you have any skills and/or thoughts to share. We are in very early stages and would appreciate any support we can get. We haven't yet established any particular needs or goals, as we are only just beginning - but we expect that after another meeting, we will have a better idea of specific ways in which people can help."
Buckell said she is now mapping out what a shared digitization project would look like if area historical groups work together.
She is currently reaching out to funding agencies in search of possible assistance.
Northeastern Ontario Heritage has attracted interest from the Bunker Military Museum in Cobalt, the Cobalt Historical Society, the Cobalt Mining Museum, the Museum of Northern History, the Haileybury Heritage Museum, the Little Clay Belt Homesteaders Museum, the Timmins Museum National Exhibition Centre, and the Timmins Public Library/Schumacher Historical Society.
Also interested but not present at the Oct. 9 meeting were: the Town of Englehart, the Elk Lake Heritage Museum, and the Latchford Historical Society.
Darlene Wroe is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with the Temiskaming Speaker. LJI is funded by the Government of Canada.
