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MAKE HOMEPAGE
Walter Benjamin, a German philosopher once said, "Those who wipe out the past are in danger of abolishing the future."
It was in this theme that a General Museum and Archives committee was created by a unanimous resolution of Mayor Burgess and city council in 2007, our 125th year as a city.
The mandate given to the committee by council was to develop a plan of action to establish a General Museum and Archive facility in Brandon.
The resolution was based on council's appreciation of the need to ensure the collection, preservation and display of materials that are part of our history and heritage, and also recognition of the potential for such a facility to boost tourism and contribute to downtown redevelopment and renewal.
At the present time, Brandon students must have the educational opportunities to connect to all periods of our past. It is the committee's hope that an appreciation of our local past will inspire some to stay in Brandon after graduation to help build the present and future history of Brandon.
Today the students of Westman, and Brandon must travel to Winnipeg to visit the Museum of Man and Nature, or the Provincial Archives to learn about Brandon and area.
Having a Museum and Archives in Brandon is not a luxury, it is a necessity, and including an interactive children's section will inspire children of all ages to learn our history while at play.
This committee has examined eight local buildings to determine their potential to serve as a General Museum and Archive facility. These buildings included, the former CPR station at Tenth and Pacific, the YMCA building on Eighth Street, Fleming School on Twenty-Third Street, and the No. 1 Fire Hall. All but the No. 1 Fire Hall have been taken over for other purposes. Unfortunately an engineering study has shown that No. 1 Fire Hall is considered to have too weak a structure to hold the weight required for a museum and archives facility.
Recently the building opposite Fire Hall No. 1 has become vacant. In the past it has served as a co-op store, public library and recently as a Convergys call centre. The construction of this building is sound enough to hold the heavy loads that would be placed upon it with a collection of archives.
The basement would be used for the museum exhibits. At present, the committee's plan is to utilize approximately 25,000 square feet of space for the general museum.
The space of 3,200 square feet, and 1,500 square feet looking out towards Princess Avenue can be turned into revenue earning commercial areas.
The committee is of the opinion that this location could be a cornerstone to stop the decay and demolition of the past in the Renaissance District. It will enhance the resident attractions to be established at the soon to be renovated YMCA, and the new Kristopher Campbell Memorial Skate Board Park. The Library and Arts Centre is just to the north on Rosser Avenue and Seventh Street.
The committee is made up of 12 volunteer members who are well informed on the matters of local history and museums and archives. The three counsellors on the committee also have a genuine interest in this project, and have been dedicated in steering this mandate towards the city council wishes.
Robert Booth
Brandon
(The writer is a member of the Brandon Area Museum and Archive Committee.)
