TRURO – The Colchester Historical Society is seeking a substantial amount of funding from the Town of Truro for a capital project.
The museum's president, Joe Ballard, asked town council on Monday for $112,000 to go towards a permanent exhibit and design that will focus very specifically on Colchester County. The initiative includes window alcoves with pictures, a floor map of the county, a mini theatre, wall and floor graphics, display cases, and benches.
Ballard said it costs about $225,000 to add the equipment to the museum on Young Street, which is now called the Colchester Historeum. Shortly after making the presentation to council, Ballard told the Truro Daily News the upgrades are vital to both the facility and community.
“It will make a difference in celebrating Colchester County and instilling pride and telling the story of Colchester to those from away,” said Ballard. “Museum visitors today are looking for them to be more entertaining and stimulating … and it will enhance the civic centre too.”
Ballard said upgrades may also lead to increasing entrance fees into the museum, but no specifics were confirmed.
Council told Ballard the request will be discussed further and considered during upcoming budget deliberations. In addition, Ballard said the town funds the museum’s operations by about $10,000 a year.
“It would do a lot to increase the ambience” of the building, added Mayor Bill Mills.
Ballard said the museum has also asked for $112,000 towards the project from the Municipality of Colchester County. It was suggested by the county that there be an 80/20 per cent contribution by the county over two years.
The project is only one aspect of upgrades to the museum. About $670,000 could be spent on a number of projects, including the placement of new windows, basement renovations and landscaping, which were all recently done.
