The Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin has many events planned for the coming year, reports president Sheila Wyse.
In celebration of Heritage Week February 18 to 24, the museum starts the year off with a joint activity at the museum on Saturday, Feb. 23 with the Williams Lake Heritage Advisory Committee.
Wyse says details for the event are still being worked out.
Special events continue March 15 with the annual tea celebrating the City of Williams Lake’s birthday. April 21 the B.C. Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductions are announced.
Museum volunteers will hold a garage sale in May, man a concession during the Stampede Parade in June and have a booth at the Harvest Fair in September.
The Cowboy Concert and Trade Show take place in November and the Christmas Tea and Bake Sale will be held again in December.
With all those activities planned it’s time to get the museum cleaned, polished, and ready for a new year, Wyse says.
All of the leather exhibits were given a good cleaning last June so they are fine for now, she says.
“Since we don’t have any major tasks to do this year, we will not close the museum for any extended period,” Wyse says. “Cleaning of rooms and display cases can be done while the museum is open to the public.”
Winter hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The 2013 museum board elected in November includes president Sheila Wyse; vice-president Ruth Walters; secretary Carrie Barker; treasurer June Eckert; curator Diana French; and directors Tom Curtis, Cece Jaeger, Sharon MacDonald, Trevor Marshall, Gillian Niquidet, Karen Piffko, and Kae Stafford.
The museum is now on Facebook. Wyse invited the public to “like us” and follow the museum activities.
“The Museum has many committees to divide up the work and to ensure all our planned activities are ready to go,” Wyse says. “While directors lead these committees, our members are most welcome to join us. You can bring new ideas, an extra pair of hands, and your individual talents to help us with the museum work.”
She says the events and building committees are examples of how members can help out with various events and planning.
“We often need extra help to do the many little jobs that make these events successful,” Wyse says. “You may also have ideas that can make these events better.”
She notes the building committee makes recommendations on work needed for exhibits and for the museum structure itself.
“While our volunteers do the small jobs in-house, the bigger jobs are contracted out,” Wyse says. “But we often need someone to search out quotes or provide ideas.”
If you would like to join any of our committees please contact Sheila Wyse through the Museum or at smwyse@shaw.ca