On
March 17, 2015, the Cut Knife Chamber of Commerce dissolved. The
organization had been a part of the Town since, at least, the 1970s
and had hosted some well loved community traditions including the May
Long Weekend Garage Sale, Oktoberfest and the Canada Day Pancake Breakfast at the Museum.
However, now that it had disbanded, the question arose: What was to
become of its records?
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| The first box of materials - with signed Transfer of Ownership, to the right. The items will be organized along timelines, described, filed in archival boxes and stored. |
The
Clayton McLain Memorial Museum and Archives has established a set of
guidelines that helps us to determine whether, or not, a potential
donation fits our mandate. These criteria were designed to keep
us on track. Our display space, our storage space and our volunteer
resources are limited. By following our Significance Worksheet, we eliminate duplication and we maintain the museum's focus on the stories directly relevant to the area.
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| Filing cabinet filled with the documentation for our artifacts and archival materials. |
Honestly,
if it were up to the individuals of the Acquisitions Committee and the Board of
Trustees, we'd probably take in everything that was offered to the Museum. Most of us have a weakness for collections, for antiques, for
documents and books or for items of a sentimental nature but that
approach is unworkable. So, we've set up a procedural based upon what other museums are doing and we work at creating a
unique, manageable collection reflective of the people, events and history of
the Cut Knife area.
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| The Archives is a climate and light controlled, dust and pest free area. |
The
records of the Cut Knife Chamber of Commerce will be accepted into
the Archives because they fit - to a tee - the requirement for
historical significance: “. . . collection [that] contributes to
changing the course of local history or [has] an impact on
development of community.” The boxes of materials will be processed
and, in time, will be available to the public for viewing or
research.