$5,000 in Support Aids Celine G. Philibert Cultural Centre and Museum
MASSENA — A recent Community Foundation grant will help the Town of Massena’s efforts to purchase a storage building for the Celine G. Philibert Memorial Cultural Centre and Museum.
The Foundation’s Board has approved a $5,000 award for the Museum that will help properly protect its collection and artifacts.
In early May, Community Foundation staff learned that officials with the Town and Museum were raising money to purchase a container for artifact storage.
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“We are pleased to help build upon the investments that continue to be made to enhance this important resource in the Massena area,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. The facility is a great reminder of the importance of the appreciation of the region’s history and heritage.”
Partnerships with other repositories, individuals, and institutions in the North Country promote the identification, preservation and use of all records and artifacts for understanding the North County’s history.
Additional artifacts were being stored at the former Massena Museum building on East Orvis Street and other locations, including the basement at the Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce. They had to be moved about a year ago and space was secured at the former Hallmark store at the St. Lawrence Centre Mall under a rental agreement with the town. Moving items to the mall solved a storage issue, but the collection and archive items should be more accessible to rotate into displays.
The Museum board has organized a fundraising campaign to raise approximately $57,000 for a storage building that will be placed on town property behind the Museum.
The Museum moved to its present location on Main Street in Massena in November 2017. Now, in addition to the Museum, the new Cultural Centre houses an exhibition gallery.
The Museum collects and preserves historical records and artifacts pertaining to the Town of Massena and makes them available for historical and educational research and exhibits that involve community members in interpreting local history.
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.