By David F. Rooney
Armed with a battery of statistics, Revelstoke Museum Curator Cathy English appeared before Council to describe the previous year’s high points and her hopes for a $5,000 increase in the City’s annual $60,000 grant.
Last year the Museum had a $138,000 budget for programs that attracted 8,519 visitors, up from 7,093 in 2009/2010 and 6,228 in 2008/2009. Among those programs and events were the Royal Wedding Tea, Chinese New Year Luncheon, Multicultural Heritage Fair, the David Thompson Bicentennial events, the Flower Show, several children’s programs including the popular Heritage Explorer Program and school tours. But perhaps the biggest draw to the museum, whose motto is “keeping our history alive” has been its gift shop, which “has raised the profile of the museum,” English said.
Another high point was last year’s publication of the successful coffee-table book on Earle and Estelle Dickey. English said the museum hopes to capitalize on the public appetite for such books with a new book on the history of skiing in out community.
English hopes to seen an increase in visitation to the museum this year with new events such as a Royal Jubilee Party this summer, new showcases and more professional displays. A $5,000 increase in the City’s $60,000 grant could help make that a reality.
