200820 Museum AGDThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Museum Advisory Committee
Thursday, August 6, 2020
4:00 pm
Annandale National Historic Site
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Adoption of Agenda
Proposed Resolution #1
Moved by:
Seconded by:
THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Museum Advisory Committee meeting of
August 6,2020 be adopted.
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
4. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
5. General Business & Reports
a) Financial
b) Tour Guides
c) Curator’s Report
6. New Business
a) Attendance since reopening
b) Plans toward reopening the house and remainder of 2020
c) Explanation of conflicting dollar amounts in 2020 budget for museum
(Feb. mtg)
d) Daily costs to have museum open
e) Review of facility tour report
f) Review of Parks/Rec/ Heritage audit pertaining to museum (presented at
April council meeting)
7. Next Meeting- Thursday, September 24, 2020- 4:30 pm
8. Adjournment
Proposed Resolution #2
Moved by:
Seconded by:
THAT the August 6th meeting of the Museum Advisory committee be adjourned at
_____ p.m.
The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Museum Advisory Committee
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Program Room-2nd Floor Annandale NHS
30 Tillson Ave, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 2Z8
MINUTES
Present: Bob Marsden, Patty Phelps, Rosemary Dean, Joan Weston, Donna Scanlan,
Dianne MacKeigan, John Lessif
Absent with Regrets: Sherry Hamilton, Chris Rosehart
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm
2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution #1
Moved by: Rosemary Dean
Seconded by: Joan Weston
THAT the agenda as prepared for February 27 be adopted with the following
additions under New Business:
d) Terms of Reference
e) Year end report Carried
3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared.
4. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting for January were circulated.
Resolution #2
Moved by: Joan Weston
Seconded by: Donna Scanlan
THAT the minutes from January’s meeting be approved. Carried
Business arising from Minutes: It was pointed out that the stocking report from
January’s meeting was not included in the January minutes to Council.
Resolution #3
Moved by: Donna Scanlan
Seconded by: Joan Weston
THAT amended minutes from January including the Christmas Stocking report be
forwarded to Council. Carried
5. General Business & Reports
5.1 Financial Report- $134,394.97 is the balance in the Trust Account. A further
deposit of about $3400.00 from the museum’s share of Trip of the Month has yet to
be deposited.
Resolution #4
Moved by: John Lessif
Seconded by: Rosemary Dean
THAT this committee receive quarterly operating budget reports. Carried
John Lessif raised the question of 4 different figures in the town’s budget papers
for the museum. Patty will find out about the discrepancies and report back at
our next meeting.
5.2 Tour Guide Report
14 guides and 2 staff attended a meeting for tour guides on February 21.
Emergency protocols were reviewed and time was given for guides to sign up for
upcoming events at ANHS where their services will be needed.
5.3 Curator’s Report
The Curator’s report was circulated and discussed.
Resolution#5
Moved by: Joan Weston
Seconded by: Rosemary Dean
THAT the reports be accepted Carried
5.4 New Business
(a) Bats- Pest Control visits twice a year to deal with bats that reside in
the attic. Three bats were found during the facility tour. Pest Control assures us
there is no danger and we do not have an infestation.
Resolution #6
Moved by: John Lessif
Seconded by: Joan Weston
THAT Council be advised to increase Pest Control from two visits a year to
quarterly. Carried
(b)Signage- Bob Marsden raised concern about sign posts on Corless
Lane at Hyman Street and asked for their removal.
Donna Scanlan expressed concern about the state of the large sign on Tillson
Avenue and its need for refurbishment. She had obtained a quote for the
necessary work that she passed on to Patty for consideration.
(c) Facility Tour Report-
Resolution #7
Moved by: Donna Scanlan
Seconded by: Joan Weston
THAT the facility tour report be deferred to the next meeting when its author,
Sherry Hamilton, will be present for the discussion. Carried
(d)Terms of Reference- Revised terms of reference were distributed and
should be added to our binders.
(e) Year End Report- The year end report was circulated and will be
presented to Council at a yet-to-be-determined date.
6. Next Meeting- Thursday, March 26, 2020
7. Adjournment
Resolution #8
Moved by: Joan Weston
Seconded by: Dianne MacKeigan
THAT the February 27th meeting of the Museum Advisory Committee be adjourned
at 5:57 pm.
Carried
ANNANDALE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
March – August 2020 Review
Curator’s Report
ATTENDANCE FIGURES
• Predicted that the museum will experience the lowest year-end attendance figure since the 1980’s
• Museum closed to the public at 4 pm on Friday, March 13, 2020 due to Provincial State of Emergency Orders
caused by Covid-19 Pandemic
• Stage II of Ontario’s reopening plan included permission for museums to reopen with restrictions
• Ontario entered Stage II on June 12
• Museum partially reopened to the public on Monday, June 29 after being closed for 15 weeks
• Historic house remains closed with exhibits in Pratt Gallery open for touring by appointment
• Schedule of timed appointments with limited number of visitors allowed per appointment implemented
• Slow return of visitors – people still reluctant to venture out
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec TOTAL
2020 423 526 155 - - 5 137 1,246
2019 514 466 510 583 503 1615 2104 1783 645 541 827 809 10,901
2018 230 446 481 619 608 1468 2385 1369 574 734 872 1429 11,239
ATTENDANCE FIGURES SINCE REOPENING
Visitor count includes
Individuals to see exhibit
Individuals seeking historical information and/or to offer an item for the collection
Participants in the offered children’s program
DATE # OF VISITORS
Week 1 - Jun 29 – July 3 11
Week 2 – July 6- 10 28
Week 3 – July 13 – 17 39
Week 4 – July 20 - 24 48
Week 5 – July 27 - 31 15
Week 6 – Aug. 4 - 7 13
Week 7 – Aug. 10 - 14 31
2020 EXHIBITIONS IN THE PRATT GALLERY – March to December
• 100th Anniversary of the Tillsonburg News exhibit moved to an online format
o Staff created museum’s first digital exhibit that launched April 29 – date that it had been scheduled to
open in Pratt Gallery
o From April 29 to June 30, 600 “visitors” viewed the exhibit online
1st Quarter 2nd t Quarter 3rd t Quarter 4th Quarter Year End
2020 1,104 5 1,109
2019 1,490 2,702 4,532 2,177 10,901
2018 1,181 2,695 4,328 3,035 11,239
• “Piecing Together the Past and the Present; A Collaborative Quilt Show for 2020” hosted in Pratt Gallery June 29
to August 31
o Original schedule for exhibition run – timed appointments and limited number required as part of
restrictions in reopening
o Joint exhibit between Museum and the Stationhouse Quilters & Fibre Artists
• Oxford Creative Connections Inc. Members Miniature Show & Sale next exhibit in gallery Sept. 7 to Nov. 2
o Limited timed appointments will continue until Provincial restrictions are lifted
o Patrons who are able must wear masks per County Board of Health Order
o Artists must wrap and isolate their work for 5 days prior to drop-off in museum parking lot on
September 3rd
o Museum Trust will receive 20% commission on any sales from show
o Plan to promote exhibit as opportunity for early Christmas Shopping that will support local artists AND
your local museum
• Christmas exhibit highlighting the history of Christmas Tree Ornaments will be last exhibit of 2020
o Change from originally planned Christmas Music exhibit
o Changed as ornament exhibit can be created from the museum’s collection with very few items
borrowed from other museums or private collections
o Originally planned music exhibit required the loan of at least 60% of the exhibit from others which is not
feasible in the current pandemic situation
o Limited timed appointments will continue unless Provincial restrictions are lifted
o Patrons who are able must wear masks per County Board of Health Order unless order is lifted
EVENTS & PROGRAMS – MARCH TO AUGUST
• St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon, March Break children’s programs, Turtlefest, Canada Day Open House & Fun Fair and
the Teddy Bear Picnic were all cancelled due to Covid-19 closure
o Small loss of revenue countered by savings on expenditures
• Lunch & Learn Series – one of four hosted in February other three have been cancelled
o social distancing restrictions prohibit series from being hosted in fall
o paid participants offered a refund or a tax receipt if they changed the payment to a donation
33 out of 50 paid patrons changed payment to donation
Revenue loss countered by donations and savings on expenditures
• Fun on the Lawn Summer Programs for children
o “Island Hopping” program offered on Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30
Offered from July 21 till Sept. 3
Different Island featured each week with games, crafts and fun learning about the culture
Max 10 participants per program @ $2.00 ea.
Each child has their own table socially distanced on lawn
o “Arts & Crafts on the Lawn” program offered on Friday
Program offered for the month of August from 10 am to 11 am
Max 10 participants @ $2.00
Each child has their own table socially distanced on lawn
OCCI CORNER GALLERY
• No sales to report as building was closed
• OCCI has put gallery program on hold – will not change out work in any of their County galleries until new year
• Current work on display to be returned to artists now building is reopened
COMMUNITY MUSUEM OPERATING GRANT (CMOG)
• Curator applied prior to May 31 deadline
• Grant awarded $17,899
• Money has been received by Finance Department
CANADIAN HERITAGE COVID 19 MUSEUM ASSISTANCE GRANT FOR CARE OF COLLECTIONS
• One time only grant to help museums care for their collections during pandemic
• Curator in process of completing application
• Deadline September 1, 2020
• Possible grant if awarded $44,000
EVENTS & PROGRAMS – SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER
• Flapper Luncheon & Lecture, Pie Tea and Christmas Corsage Tea will not be hosted due to Covid-19
restrictions/limitations
• Alternative programing being planned
o Painting on the lawn program (max. 10 people)
o Christmas Ornament making workshop (max 8 people)
o Private Christmas Tea and Tour (max 1 group of 6 per appointment)
o If programs well received can be hosted more than once
SCHOOL CLASS PROGRAMING
• Waiting to connect with teachers once back in classroom to finalize any plans
• Expect that there will be no field trips – so no Christmas school program at museum
• Exploring possibility of virtual programs
CHRISTMAS SEASON
• First floor of Annandale House to be decorated and opened to the public for a staff guided tour
Staff will decorate rooms in order to be fair to all volunteer decorators
2020 volunteer decorators will be moved to the 2021 Christmas Season
Volunteers to be notified in the coming weeks of the change
• Staff to conduct one-way traffic flow tours
o Will allow for “no touch” monitoring and reminders
o Will eliminate required directional stickers on historic floor
• First floor will be decorated and open from November 30th to December 30th
• Timed tour appointments with max of 6 people per appointment time
• Same appointment times as we are currently operating with additional Sunday afternoon appointments
• Second and third floors of historic house to remain closed
• Will be promoted/marketed as a “Christmas Gift” to the community
• Regular admission rates will apply
TREE LIGHTING ON LAWN – Friday, November 27, 2020
• Will need to revamp the event
o People will not be able to go into museum following the lighting
Due to social distancing restrictions – not enough room
o So need to make actually lighting more of an event
Perhaps live music
Hot chocolate booth (health board permitting)
Elsa and Anna Disney Princess photo booth (with social distancing?)
Looking for suggestions and assistance from Advisory Committee
STUFF CHRISTMAS STOCKING PENNY SALE
• Wanting to raise the most possible from this event staff suggest either postponing sale this year or creating an
online silent auction for stockings
PLEASE NOTE THAT PLANS FOR SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON PROVINCIAL
GOVERNMENT AND HEALTH BOARD ORDERS IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC