Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes (right) joined Heritage Manager Tracy Johnson and Larry Shannon (president of the Oliver/Osoyoos branch of the Okanagan Historical Society) on June 8 to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Oliver Museum. Some $100,000 was spent to revitalize the 89-year-old building. Roy Heuckendorff photo
The Oliver and District Heritage Society (ODHS) held its grand re-opening of the Oliver Museum last Saturday.
Acting chair Sue Morhun was clearly moved by all the work that has been done to bring the museum’s renovation/restoration to fruition and those on hand were quick to laud the efforts of so many in the community who spent countless hours working on the project.
Morhun gave a synopsis of the work that has been done to the museum, an 89-year- old building that required a top-to-bottom effort to ensure the building will be around for years to come, which in turn will ensure the history of the area is preserved for generations to come. The aesthetic work inside the building is self-evident, most notably the shiny new handicap washroom and the new community gathering room, but under the surface a herculean challenge was accomplished.
One of the biggest issues facing the project was the removal of all the asbestos in the building. Morhun was pleased to announce that this challenge has been met and the asbestos has been completely removed and no longer poses a threat to anyone. In addition, the building has been fitted with energy efficient cooling and heating systems, not only for the common areas but the collections storage areas, and it now meets all building codes.
Morhun said that $100,000 was spent on the project, but so much more was given by local tradespeople who donated considerable time to the effort. Other donations made included $37,000 worth of moveable shelving (the donating company wished to remain anonymous), something akin to a miracle for a museum. Part of the funding also came from a community infrastructure improvement grant worth $45,000 from the Western Diversification Fund.
Of course the opening ceremony would not have been complete without acknowledging former president Michael Newman, who passed away earlier this year. Newman was instrumental in guiding the ODHS board in developing a new vision for the museum, and worked tirelessly on the project.
Morhun said, “Michael brought energy, commitment and an incredible array of skills to the project, and was truly a jack of all trades and also a master of them all.”
In recognition of his outstanding commitment, the board dedicated a wall in the community gathering room on which a plaque and Newman’s photograph are hung. The plaque reads: “In Honour of Michael Newman who lead a team of fellow volunteers for two years in the revitalization of the Oliver and District Heritage Society and the rejuvenation of the 1924 BC Police Station Museum presented February 2013.”
Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes was quick to point out: “Michael took the wild bull by the horns and straightened things out.”
Both Newman’s wife, Celia, and sister, Wendy, were in attendance and expressed their gratitude to the board for recognizing Michael’s efforts. Morhun also acknowledged Bill Doerr, who was Newman’s right-hand man and took up the challenges that were presented when Newman passed away. All in all, Newman’s spirit was in the room on Saturday and the respect everyone in attendance felt for him was palpable.
The future of the museum is still in the making, as Heritage Manager Tracy Johnson is still in the process of organizing and cataloging the museum’s collection. To this end, Johnson is organizing monthly “collections conundrums” events. Basically, Johnson will display items in the museum, and with the public’s help, identify the significance and importance of the items to the overall collection.
This is an opportunity for anyone in the community to help make the museum the best it can be, and given the number of artifacts in the collection that need cataloguing, Johnson could use all the help she can get.
Funding, of course, will always be an ongoing issue for the museum, but the ODHS is in a positive revenue position given the annual funding it receives from the regional district.
Area C director Allan Patton was clear and unequivocal: “The RDOS contribution will be maintained now and in the future.”
With a new chapter starting for the ODHS, it’s fair to say: Let the Michael Newman era begin.
Roy Heuckendorff
Special to the Chronicle
