Hi, All:

A $34,000 grant has been approved, which will document oral rail history at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario. A matching amount has been raised which makes this a fairly significant project in a time when government funding is tightly restricted.

I think this will be a great boost for the museum, in several ways-

- up-front funding for equipment and wages
- when the project is done, we will have a greatly expanded web presence and more services to offer the public
- Students are being involved- hopefully this will greatly enhance their interest in, and sensitivity to the importance of rail history and heritage in general
-Older railroaders and others who had regular contact with the railway will be drawn in, their memories preserved, and they will become more aware of the museum and its value- hopefully we will see some volunteers and other support following their involvement
-Last but not least, this project will help to drive home the fact that the museum is here to serve the public and preserve/ interpret history for future generations. We all have members who need to be reminded that our museums aren't there for their personal entertainment!

I tried to submit the article to Flimsies, but the system refused to accept the article's URL (not a valid URL). I assure you that it is valid, though!

Stacey Roy has covered events at the museum several times in the last couple of years, and she is one of the best and most careful reporters we've seen.

Steve Hunter
Cardinal, Ontario

http://www.emcsmithsfalls.ca/20110908/news/Museum%27s+rail+history+project+receives+grant+funding

Museum's rail history project receives grant funding
Posted Sep 8, 2011 By Stacey Roy


EMC News - A $34, 000 grant approval from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture will bring Smiths Falls rail history to life this year as it funds an interactive history project led by the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario (RMEO).

Anne Shropshire, museum curator, said the province's support of the project has really put some steam into this exciting local project.

"Now we can include implementation of the project," she explained.

The Railway History Project will create a paneled exhibit, launch a new website, create an education program for the elementary school level, and record oral histories from local rail workers and residents for exhibit and online use. Local students will be asked to interview area men and women who have unique stories connected to the railway in Smiths Falls. One example is a local man who recalls seeing Second World War soldiers training at the rail yard in Smiths Falls prior to being transported to battle.

"That's the kind of stories we're looking for," Shropshire emphasized.

Students at the Smiths Falls and District Club for Youth will be teaming up with the museum to develop an interactive website complete with photos and information in written, audio and visual format.

Shropshire said there will be plenty of opportunities for the community to get involved and help bring the proud rail history of Smiths Falls to life through online blogs, etc.

When asked when the history project will be complete, Shropshire replied: "The deadline we're working to is mid-May (2012) for the launch."

BOARD MEMBERS

The Smiths Falls Railway Museum Corporation is seeking members to sit on their Board of Directors.

Nominations must be received at the museum in person or by mail no later than 12 p.m. (noon) on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. For more information call John Weir, President or Anne Shropshire, Curator. 613-283-5696 or info@rmeo.org. Applicants must be 18 years of age or over.

http://rmeo.org/
http://public.fotki.com/elliottd/sfrmeo/