Think again

“Friends of the Wellington Heritage Museum Noreen Kalman and Bill Wightman are seeking signatures for a petition to save this piece of County heritage.

Friends of Wellington Museum argue council needs to know accurate costs before selling this piece of County history

Council shouldn’t even talk about closing the Wellington museum unless it knows how much the municipality is spending on it, said Bill Wightman, spokesperson for the Friends of the Wellington Museum. Wightman addressed a special meeting of council last week.

Council had gathered to hear presentations from organizations seeking grant funding in 2012. Also on the agenda was a 19-point list of suggestions prepared by County staff aimed at cutting costs of the municipality. Among these suggestions: moving the museum collection from the Wellington museum; relocating it to another facility; or selling the building. But before they got to the list council decided they needed more time to consider the list, and get input from residents. They agreed to meet on March 14 to go through staff’s suggestions. But since the Friends were there they allowed Wightman to make his deputation.

Wightman generally agrees with administrators’ desire to look at spending and agrees all aspects of the organization should be examined to root out waste and duplication. But Wightman argues that before anyone considers amputating critical parts of this community’s heritage they had better have correct numbers to make their case.

At the core of his concern is an amount of $50,802 attributed to wages and benefits for the Wellington museum last year—85 per cent of the museum’s total budget of $59,200 in 2011.

“Wages and benefits actually attributable [to the Wellington museum] could not have been anywhere near $50,802,” explained Wightman. “The museum Curator is our only full-time County employee and she also serves as Curator for the Ameliasburgh Historical Museum and Pioneer Village.”

Wightman estimates the actual cost of operating the Wellington museum is likely less than $10,000 per year—an amount he says is somewhat offset by gift shop sales, donations and fundraising proceeds.

“You are entitled to know that you have clear information and assurance that these operations are being carried out with maximum efficiency,” said Wightman. “Particularly in the allocation of resources and disposition of personnel.”

Wightman also underlined the role this museum plays in attracting visitors and telling the story of this community.

“The word ‘friends’ has a special place in the history of the County,” said Wightman. “The museum was built by Quaker Friends as their meeting house. The Quakers built well and the building shows well. It is a museum piece in and of itself. It is the last remaining Quaker meeting house in the County.”

The Quakers’ connection to the building could throw a large wrench into the County’s plans to divest itself of the building. According to a 1967 deed, the West Lake Society of Friends granted the building to the municipality on condition that it operate the meeting house as a museum or a memorial to the Society of Friends. To do otherwise the County will need the express approval of the West Lake Society of Friends.

Those familiar with the deed suggest it is not clear that title to the property ever transferred to the County. As such it may not have the right to sell the property.

Nevertheless council is likely to try and balance operating costs with potential alternatives in presenting the heritage on display in Wellington. In this analysis, Wightman urges council to obtain accurate numbers before it makes decisions from which it cannot return.

“In no way would closing the Wellington museum result in the saving of $50,000 in wages and benefits,” said Wightman.