UNITY -- The Unity and District Heritage Museum has been busy as spring will soon be here. Anyone who has been walking around the grounds may have noticed the new addition at the far south end of the Quonsets, solar panels. The museum is entering into the modern age in hopes of improving utility costs. With a few more added changes yet to be done, the panels will be working soon.
The roadway into the grounds and in front of the shops needs more gravel which is much needed. This too will be done as soon as it dries up a bit more, as volunteers are slogging through the mud currently.
The Prairie Heritage Garage has been busy over the winter; quite a few vehicles were worked on and made to run. The red Akerlund wagon was rebuilt as the wood was rotting away. Boards were painted, new brackets made and painted, then rebuilt and now it is ready to roll. The guys did a great job making it look really nice. Signage will be done next to finish the wagon off.
The Adanac Hall will need some work done on it this year both inside and out. Inside work will include a few lights fixed inside and a ceiling fan replaced. The biggest job will be outside, where the facia board will need to be replaced all around and clad in metal to eliminate the future need of paint. The new shop needs a sign, more improvements inside and of course vehicles worked on.
The next big event is the programming of July 1 and quite a day is in store. Entertainment has been booked, food arranged, kids’ games, rides and so much more. A little of something for all ages.
The summer season is fast approaching – hiring of summer staff is in the works, buildings will need cleaning, displays fixed or changed, grounds improved and the list goes on. There are lots of items on the wish list for the museum, which the dedicated volunteers will whittle away at as time permits. Artifacts donated over the winter are being catalogued to be put on display.
On April 26, the museum invited their many volunteers to a special supper catered by Jan Taylor. UDHM vice-president Azure McGonigle addressed the crowd on behalf of the board with some of the work that has gone on over the past year and some exciting changes that will soon be on the grounds. Board secretary, Glenda Forbes was also recognized for all the hard work she put into the special evening with door prizes and décor in the Adanac Hall.
The UDHM held the last pancake brunch of the winter fundraiser on April 28. Over the course of the winter, tickets for a Pit Boss Sportsman BBQ/Smoker were sold with the big draw slated for the final brunch. With all tickets sold out, the winner was Dwayne Sander of Unity. The final brunch saw 99 people come to the museum and the brunch crew is now ready to take a break before the July 1 breakfast approaches.
Tourist season is fast approaching, and the volunteers and staff are looking forward to it in hopes of seeing you here sometime.
