Olde Gaol museum looking for stability funding

DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: Lindsay’s Olde Gaol museum is desperately seeking funding assistance from the City of Kawartha Lakes.

At a Committee of the Whole meeting, on Tuesday, March 9th, Jane Gregory-Gill from the Victoria County Historical Society made a funding request to Kawartha Lakes councillors, to help “enable a level of stability in the operations of the Olde Gaol Museum.” “Today, I am asking you for $132,000 in funding,” Ms. Gregory-Gill stated.

This funding would be used to hire two staff members for the local museum. While the museum has a lot of dedicated volunteers, Ms. Gregory-Gill explained it would be beneficial to have paid staff members as well.

“We are missing something. We are missing the ability to pay people for their talent, for their knowledge, for their [abilities]. This puts this organization at great risk.”

She stressed it wouldn’t make sense for the museum to open this year without core funding in place.

“Preservation of our history is important, and our largest tourist attraction is important. It’s at risk,” Ms. Gregory-Gill stated. City staff members are expected to bring forward possible funding options to council in April.

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