The Castlegar Heritage Society’s new manager is hoping to revitalize the historic sites the organization cares for and create new programming and exhibitions.
Maggie Shirley, who is well known in the community as the past curator of the Kootenay Gallery, is easing into the job. She’s putting in five to 10 hours a week at the moment, while working another full-time job, but will be able to put in more hours starting in January.
When the Station Museum and the Chapel House on Zuckerberg Island reopen in April, she expects be close to full-time.
Shirley takes over from Deb McIntosh, who has spent 34 years in charge of both sites.
“She’s put her heart and soul into it,” Shirley said. “But now she’s ready to focus on the work that she’s doing in the community with the shelter and the food bank.”
Shirley says she is eager to bring new eyes and energy to both sites
“We’re hoping to update and change around the permanent exhibits at the Station Museum and eventually the Chapel House. I’m really excited to also start showing some temporary exhibitions, either ones that we create ourselves or that we bring in from other places, or we get guest curators from the community.”
Shirley says she is taking to the City of Castlegar, which owns both buildings, about plans for heritage restoration work. She says the Station Museum, which is in the former Castlegar CPR station, built in 1907, will be her first priority. Afterward, she’ll get into programming and exhibitions.
Both sites operate from April to October, but Shirley is interested in extending the season and providing programming over the winter at the museum.
Shirley says the bulk of their visitors tend to be from out of town, and she would like to encourage more locals to visit.
“So that’s why we’re thinking about having workshops or talks,” she said. “We’ll be looking at where else in the city can we host temporary exhibitions and just make sure that people in Castlegar have a sense of their history and have a sense of pride in the community and what’s happened in our past.
“I really hope people will feel like it’s their museum and will come and look as we progress.”
The society will hold its annual general meeting on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Station Museum. They are looking for volunteers, especially those who can do physical work. If you’re interested, leave a message at 250-365-6440.
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