On July 1, in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday, the Delta Museum and Archives Society launched Our Delta Stories. For the rest of the year, the society is asking community members to share their favourite Delta story in 250 words or less.
The stories will then be posted on the society's social media pages and website, while some will be printed in the Optimist. "We're so excited about this idea," said society president Teresa Cooper. "We're always hearing great stories and this is a wonderful way to begin to capture them."
To kick things off, the society is sharing its own story.
Started in 1961 as a meeting of citizens interested in recording reminiscences, mapping homesteads and obtaining photographs, the Delta Historical and Museum Society officially came into existence in 1968. In November 1969, the museum opened on the main floor of Delta's historic second municipal hall in Ladner and in 1979 the Delta Museum and Archives occupied all three floors of the old building.
The society's collections have grown - the museum alone has more than 35,000 items in its care - and the professional expertise of staff has kept pace with the standards expected of modern museum and archives operations.
Over the years, the society and members of the community have recognized the need for more modern facilities for the effective operation of the museum and archives. In 2011, the new Delta Archives and Edgar Dunning Reading Room opened on the main floor of the building that had been Delta's third municipal hall.
Last year, the society and Delta entered into an agreement that will see a new museum and cultural space open next to the archives in 2018.
The society's board of trustees looks forward to celebrating its official 50th anniversary and to the opening of the new space in 2018.
If you have a great Delta story and/or photo to share during Canada's 150 year, please send it to [email protected].
