Exciting changes are underway at the Cumberland Museum and Archives.
The museum received a British Columbia / Canada 150: Celebrating B.C. Communities and their Contributions to Canada grant. In partnership with the Village of Cumberland, the Everyone Welcome Project will bring much needed building upgrades and accessibility improvements.
The Cumberland Museum and Archives is located on the corner of First Street and historic Dunsmuir Avenue. Built for the museum in 1981, there have been few upgrades to the building over 36 years of operation. A recent report conducted by the Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC), on behalf of the Village of Cumberland Accessibility Committee, found the museum to be one of the more challenging public buildings for accessibility, and recommended improvements to the museum entrance to address both improved accessibility and safety.
Building upgrades include a power-assist front door, new accessible ramp, landscaping, improved drainage at the rear of the building to prevent water entering the basement of the museum, and front of building improvements including new siding, new paint and exterior signage.
The Everyone Welcome Project will engage the community to re-examine their local museum and see it as a refreshed, accessible and welcoming space. “Accessibility is about inclusion, and Cumberland strives to be the kind of community where everyone has the opportunity to participate in the social, recreational, and cultural activities they choose,” said Village of Cumberland Mayor Leslie Baird.
“The newly landscaped front grounds will provide a safe meeting place for the diverse cultural groups that the museum partners with to gather and celebrate new exhibits such as the Kumugwe exhibit in 2017, and other celebrations in 2018 including the 100 year anniversary events commemorating Albert ‘Ginger’ Goodwin’s death,” said executive director Michelle Willard.
The upgrades are scheduled to begin mid-June. The museum will continue to be open with an alternative entrance at the back.