Celebrating 40 years of history in Morris

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/07/2023 (662 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Celebrating 40 years, the Morris and District Centennial Museum is hoping new energy will help ramp up programming and generate new ideas.

The museum, opened in January 1983 to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the Town of Morris has grown and expanded over the years. The museum has grown to house more than 5,000 artifacts from Morris and the surrounding communities.

“We’re proud of our little museum. There’s lots of stuff here. If you’re interested in the area, there’s just so much to look at,” said Lou Erickson, the museum’s treasurer. “Even myself, I come here every day but I kind of don’t see things anymore, I just kind of do my work. There’s always something to discover.”

The main building used to be the Carleton School, and an addition was made later to display more artifacts donated by residents and provide an office space for roughly 50 volunteers that help to varying degrees.

Much of the museum tells the story of the early settlers and includes Indigenous artifacts as well.

Erickson said the museum is very proud of the items that represent Indigenous communities in the area. They include multiple prints and one original pastel portrait of different chiefs from local Indigenous groups done by Edmond Morris, the son of Lieutenant governor Alexander Morris who the town was named after.

The Morris Museum is a member of the Association of Manitoba Museums and Association of Manitoba Archives. Erickson said they draw inspiration from other museums in Manitoba to inform their programming and education.

“With those agencies, they broaden our horizons,” she said. “With the (94) Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, there’s things that we can do to be more inclusive and to promote harmony.”

Erickson hopes to include the voices of youth as the museum goes forward too.

There are plans in the works for a mural to be painted on the outside wall of the building and she has asked for input from students about what the mural should include and look like. Programs are in place for kids from the daycare to come and learn the history of their town this summer as well.

Drawings, pieces of writing and items like fidget toys from youth were included in the time capsule made by the museum during the celebrations for Canada’s 150th anniversary.

“One of the things I try to do is engage the youth as much as possible,” Erickson said. “We try to find ways to meet the youth and the elders in our town too to get a sense of community and a sense of place, a sense of belonging, so we try to do that as much as we can.”

Erickson said they’re gearing up for the Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition this weekend and are putting together a barn wedding float for the parade.

Part of their 40th anniversary celebrations included a Canada Day Tea, and Erickson is looking to create a list of all the volunteers and board members over the years to recognize them with a bench outside.

Erickson said the tea brought in old and new visitors and encouraged attendants to dress up for the afternoon.

For the future, Erickson also hopes to create a “travelling suitcase” exhibition to bring to schools outside Morris and to make the history more accessible for everyone.

“We’re the Morris and District Museum, and we’ve been mostly focused on Morris whenever we do any kind of events or activities and now I think we want to go out to the school in Rosenort and Lowe Farm,” she said. “It’s all part of the area and so if there’s a way to reach out and go and bring some things, it would be more connected.”

Erickson said last year they saw roughly 300 visitors at the museum which is more than they normally get in a year. Admission is free for anyone stopping by, but donations are welcome.

The Morris and District Centennial Museum is open every year from June 1 to August 31, Tuesday through Sunday.