In the past few years many improvements have been made to the museum, funded by grants from the Orleans Community Preservation Committee. These include removal of environmental hazards, installation of a new HVAC system, conversion of a room in the basement into a library, creation of a database, new informative posters, video and photographs, restoration of windows, and exterior painting. We appreciate the funds we have received from the CPC since our first application in 2019. The improvements to the building inside and out, enhanced exhibits, and a library that provides a safe place for storage of archived documents help to ensure that the public will continue to be able to learn about the station’s history and impact on the local community.
You can see the online version of the database here.
You can see the online version of the database here.
Library:
In our review of museum minutes and reports, we came across letters written in 1993 between Laurie Gray (curator) and Ms. Jessie Bell MacDonald (librarian). They shared a concern regarding the long term archival storage of the documents spanning the years from 1898 until 1959 when the station closed. Mr. Gray specifically mentioned the idea of using a room in the basement for a library.
The room he referred to was formerly used to house what was referred to as “the artificial line”. Built before there was such thing as “climate control” the room is enclosed by brick walls, separated from the foundation so as to be insulated from the cold damp earth. The equipment that had been used there was extremely sensitive to variations in temperature and humidity, so the room was kept sealed as tightly as possible. The recent addition of another mini-split has allowed for converting the room into a climate controlled library that will house all of the museum’s historical documents, manuals and books.
An “office in a closet” has been constructed using repurposed doors and cabinets that are actual artifacts of the museum. Behind the doors there is a desk with a computer, printer / scanner, and book shelves. A pair of teak cabinets have been repurposed to safely house the historic documents. In the main part of the room there is a large table, a small desk and good lighting. This provides a comfortable, quiet workspace available year round. Researchers, teachers and students, as well as museum volunteers will have access to the historic materials.
Please visit : The French Cable Station Museum website
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