In this week’s Timmins history feature, we pick up from last week’s feature about the history of the museum.
Current director-curator Karen Bachmann says it took a lot of hard work by a lot of volunteers to establish the museum in 1980, joining the National Exhibition Centre. That was when some people thought Timmins wasn’t old enough to warrant one.
“’Oh well, you know, if I can remember it, it’s not history.’ Well, it is history,” Bachmann insists.
The first director hired was Edwina Twardowski, who came from the Canada Council and spent about a year. She was followed by Lydia Ross-Alexander.
“Then in the 80s, Ken Doherty took over as the museum curator and was instrumental in doing some great things with the Underground Mine Tour.”
Doherty also brought in bilingual programs. Bachmann followed him and looks to be around for a few years more.
Now we turn things around and look to the museum and exhibition centre’s future.
“This year, we’ve got some wonderful exhibitions,” says Bachmann. “We’re featuring a lot of local and regional artists. We’re working with the local indigenous community on developing a number of projects as well.”
If they’re not about Timmins history, give them time…
