The Interpretive Society is no longer pursuing construction of a building, and have instead focused their efforts on preserving the history of the Lac La Biche region. Much of that history is in a neglected archive at McArthur Place, something society members hope to change.
Rod Webb and other members of the society made a pitch to Lac La Biche County council at last week’s meeting requesting to be named as the keeper of the county’s archives, as well as requesting space in the lower floor of McArthur Place to display the archives once the Stuart McPherson Public Library is moved to its new location at the Bold Center.
Webb noted there is currently a display of artifacts and history in the Visitor Information Centre, but it doesn’t do justice to the area’s storied past.
“For 200 years of history it’s pretty minimal,” he said, adding the Society had a multi-part plan to bring the stories of the past to visitors of tomorrow.
It begins with sorting the archives currently sitting in a musty storage room in the basement of McArthur Place, for which the Interpretive Society is requesting some space to organize and catalog the materials. The next step is displaying the archives in a museum-style display. The group wasn’t asking council for funding, instead requesting permission to use currently empty rooms near the library.
That a group was willing to take on the task pleased Mayor Peter Kirylchuk, who said “it’s heartwarming to me that someone in the community wants to preserve history.”
The Interpretive Society project was also applauded my Coun. MJ Seibold, who offered her support and approval.
“I think this is really exciting,” she said. “We haven’t taken enough pride in our history.”
The Society is currently working on refurbishing a ship model once owned by Father McGrane. The model, one of only two in the world, will be put on display once it is complete. That project caught the interest of council, with Coun. Aurel Langevin noting it should be placed somewhere that many people will see it. He was in support of the Society’s vision, and also offered his support.
“I think we need to, as a community, provide all the support we can and make your organization sustainable and viable,” he said.
A decision on whether or not the Interpretive Society will be named “keeper of the archives” as well as a decision on letting them use currently unoccupied rooms within McArthur Place will be made at a later meeting.
