Archival Collection
What is an Archival Collection?
The Archival Collection is the compilation of documents, photographs, records and individual/family histories pertaining to the history of the community of Cranberry Portage and its related area.
This collection will be housed in the section of the Museum called the Archives.
At present, Cranberry Portage does not have a museum complex so:
Does it have an Archival Collection?
Yes, we certainly do. Quite a large collection for a Museum in its embryo stages of development.
What does the Museum’s collection consist of?
We have a great number of documents, records, 1200+ photographs accessioned, 125 plus family/individual histories.
Where is it housed?
At present the collection is housed in the Collection Manager’s home. It will be moved to the Museum once a building has been obtained and set up in a manner suitable for collection conservation.
Note: Now that the museum building has been renovated, the collection is held in the museum.
How did the Museum come to have this collection?
Homecoming 1978
Homecoming 2003
Pursuing leads and obtaining information on an on-going basis.
Is anything happening with the collection at this time?
Yes, a great deal. The Collection Manger and assistants are enthusiastically expanding the collection throughout the year.
How is this being done?
We are contacting as many residents and past residents of the community as we can and encouraging them to:
1. Complete a History Questionnaire.
2. Look through their old photographs and find those that pertain to the community.
3. Provide information on the development of the community.
4. Provide contact information for past residents in order for the Museum to contact them.
5. Contact friends or relatives and assist in gathering this information if that is their need.
My parents lived in Cranberry but I was a child when I lived there and my parents are no longer alive, so filling out a questionnaire is not really important for me.
Not true. Anyone who lived in Cranberry Portage contributed to its history. There are different types of questionnaires to cover bases such as that. You would be surprised at how much information you are able to give us…
I really do not remember much of living in Cranberry so there is not much information that I could give you.
Part of the Archival Collection is to complete a resident log for the people that did live here. If for no other reason, you should contact the Museum with what information you do have.
For the 2003 Homecoming I completed a questionnaire and my history was at the Historical Display so I need not bother with it now, correct?
All the history booklets that were completed are in the Archival Collection. However, the Museum has been contacting those people to see if they would like to update their narrative and perhaps make a photo addition. The Museum would be very happy to do so.
I have some photos that I would like to donate to the Museum, as they would be more meaningful to the Museum in Cranberry than they are to the present family situation. Is the Museum interested?
You bet we are! 110% interested! If you would wish to keep the original photo then please consider making copies for us. If you cannot make a copy, then send the photo and we will do so and return the original. Contact us and we will send you information as to how you are able do this.
Okay, so I fill out a questionnaire and send it to you and then what?
The information from the questionnaire is typed into narrative format.
The narrative is sent back to you for revisions. This process is repeated until you are satisfied with the final draft.
At that point you would sign a release form to allow us to place your history in the Archival file. You would also receive a copy for your own records.
* This history is an Archival document and will always be held in the Museum and be available upon request. Many years down the line, should a family member want a copy, it can easily be arranged. *
What about someone that has no family, what are you doing about them?
We are doing our very best to find someone that can provide us with information regarding that person. Should you know of anyone of this nature please contact us. We wish the Archival collection to be as complete as we can make it.
Does that go for community history as well, such as the Radar Site or an old building or maybe some project like the skating rink?
You bet it does! If you have information, please pass it on. It will be appreciated!
I noticed in your Donor Recognition Policy that you give recognition for all sorts of things. Does providing information, photos, or artifacts fall into that?
Absolutely! We wish to acknowledge anyone who makes a contribution.
* Your contribution to the history of this community is a valuable one. Only you can best tell the story of you and/or your family. Your efforts will be greatly appreciated, not only today, but also for generations to come. *
Family History Questionnaire
A detailed question paper has been developed to assist you if you wish to provide information about your family's experience at Cranberry Portage. There are many questions, but they are designed to jog your memory - they do not all have to be answered, just as many as you feel comfortable with.
If you wish to fill in answers on a word processor, an MSWord file is also provided.
Family History Questionnaire in Word format
I’m sold. How do I contact you so I can get started?
Snail Mail:
Cranberry Portage Heritage Museum Corp.
Attn: Museum Curator
Box 310
Cranberry Portage, MB R0B 0H0
Email:
cphmuseum@gmail.com
If you have email, the complete process of handling the questionnaires and drafts can be done quite simply.
Collection Policy
[The following is an abridged version. The original document will always be the official version.]
ARTICLE I – INTENT
1.01 The intent of this policy is to define the purposes, standards, and procedures by which the collection will be acquired, documented, maintained, utilized and deaccessed by the Cranberry Portage Heritage Museum Corporation in order that its public trust responsibilities be carried out in an orderly, practical and professional manner.
ARTICLE II – STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purposes of the Cranberry Portage Heritage Museum Corporation are:
2.01 To identify, collect, preserve, document, manage and study
the historical records or objects from the community of Cranberry Portage including
the historical sites in the immediate vicinity that are relevant to the history
of Cranberry Portage.
2.02 To collect, preserve, document and study the history of
the peoples of Cranberry Portage and surrounding area.
2.03 To collect, preserve, document and study the history of
the buildings of Cranberry Portage.
2.04 To maximize the educational use of and enjoyment of the
collection by the public with emphasis placed on an active role of the museum
in pertinent school programming.
2.05 To promote heritage preservation and help educate collectors
within the community regarding the importance of preserving their heritage, historical
objects or the information about them so that it remains available to future generations.
2.06 To develop a Research Collection for the purpose of ‘hands
on’ interpretive and education center.
ARTICLE III – COLLECTIONS ACQUISITION
3.01 The Cranberry Portage Heritage Museum Corporation, which
shall hereafter be referred to as the “Museum”, shall acquire heritage
objects and supporting documentation in a manner consistent with its stated purposes.
3.02 The priorities for acquisition are as follows:
A. Objects that best illustrate man and nature in the district.
B. Objects that best illustrate the development of Cranberry Portage as a community.
C. Written documentation and oral histories of those peoples who were instrumental
to the development of Cranberry Portage.
D. Objects from and written documentation of the immediate vicinity that are relevant
to the development of the community of Cranberry Portage.
E. Objects and written documentation that relates to the pre-community development
and are historically relevant of Cranberry Portage; native ethnological material,
fur trade and pioneer artifacts.
3.03 The Museum shall accept authentic replicas of significant
artifacts that express the human life-ways of its history upon the recommendation
of the Curator, subject to final approval of the Acquisitions Committee.
3.04 The Museum shall only collect those objects that can be
adequately documented and to which ethical and legal ownership can be established.
3.05 The Museum shall base its collection on those objects to
which it can acquire a valid, free and clear legal title. Exceptions to this policy
will be made upon the recommendation of the Curator and subject to final
approval of the Acquisitions Committee.
3.06 The Museum shall exhibit only those objects for which it
can provide proper care and space in accord with professional museum standards.
3.07 Loans shall be accepted only at the discretion of the Curator with a stated time limitation. See Collection Policy Statement. Article
V.
3.08 The Museum shall acquire its collection in accordance with
the laws of the provincial and federal governments of Canada and the international
agreements between Canada and other countries.
3.09 Every permanent acquisition shall be formalized with a legal
receipt transferring ownership to the Cranberry Portage Heritage Museum Corp.
3.10 The Museum shall encourage donation (bequest, gift) as the
primary method of acquisition, but it may purchase objects or exchange for objects
that are of a particular significance and will do so in a manner consistent with
this policy.
3.11 Every donation will be formalized with a signed ‘Deed
of Gift’ document and shall be followed up with a written expression of
appreciation on behalf of the Museum. This letter of appreciation shall include
the catalogue number assigned, the intended utilization, as well as a brief statement
of the place and cultural value of the acquisition to the collection.
3.12 The authority to acquire objects through purchase, exchange,
individual gift/loan, conditional gift/loan or field collection shall be the responsibility
of the Curator, subject to final approval of the Acquisitions Committee.
3.13 The Museum reserves the right to utilize acquisitions to
the collection as best suits its purpose, without necessarily placing them on
public display. Objects not on exhibition will be considered part of the reserve.
These objects shall be made available to researchers and school classes. See Collection
Policy Statement, Article VII.
ARTICLE IV – DOCUMENTATION
4.01 The Museum shall make every reasonable effort to systematically
document the existing collection and new acquisitions as fully as possible with
regard to provenance, significance to the collection and any other pertinent information
regarding the object/document.
4.02 For each new acquisition the Museum shall issue a receipt,
retain a duplicate of it, enter a permanent record in the accession register and
donor file, and assign a unique number to each. See Collection Policy Statement,
Article VIII.
4.03 The objects, their documentation, and all additional written
reports or interpretive copy produced by the Museum from the study of the collection
or oral histories obtained through initiated Museum programs are the property
of the Cranberry Portage Heritage Museum Corporation. The Museum Curator
and Acquisitions Committee shall determine the distribution and /or sharing of
any proceeds from such research and publication.
ARTICLE V – LOANS
5.01 Long-Term Loan conditions:
A. The Museum shall accept long-term loans when the loan will benefit the collection
within the same guidelines that govern acquisition.
B. All parties must understand the conditions of the loan and the date of return
or renewal.
C. Signed loan agreement forms must accompany the loan.
D. A long-term loan requires recommendation by the Curator, subject
to final approval of the Acquisitions Committee.
E. A long-term loan should not exceed a five-year period at which time it should
become open for re- negotiation.
5.02 Short-term loan conditions:
A. The Museum shall accept short-term incoming loans for educational, research
and /or exhibit purposes as determined by the initiated Museum programs.
B. All parties must understand the conditions of the loan and the dates of duration.
C. Signed loan agreement forms must accompany the loan.
D. A short-term loan shall be the responsibility of the Curator.
5.03 Outgoing loan conditions:
A. Loans are made only from the Museum’s permanent collection.
B. Loans shall be made only to public institutions for the purpose of legitimate
research and/or educational programs.
C. Loans shall be made upon the authority of Curator subject to final
approval of the Acquisitions Committee.
D. Loans shall at all times be subject to such conditions as are consistent with
Museum policy and public trust obligation to ensure the proper preservation and
safety of the object(s) while outside the confines of the Museum complex.
E. Loans shall be documented on an official loan agreement form where each object
is itemized with all pertinent data regarding it, the duration of and conditions
specified, and signed by the borrower and the Curator.
F. Loans to institutions using the object(s) for commercial purposes shall in
addition be conditional on acknowledgement of the Cranberry Portage Heritage Museum
Corporation, a cash donation and/or a percentage for any monies gained as a result
of displaying Museum artifacts.
5.04 Any object leaving the direct supervision of the Museum/or
the Curator shall be recorded on a loan form.
5.05 Any object on loan shall be insured in accordance with the
amount stipulated on the insurance list and/or the accession file. Both borrower
and lender shall determine insurance coverage and document an agreement as to
responsibility for the article while on loan. All arrangements referred to above
will be completed prior to removal or the acceptance of the object on loan. This
information shall be included as part of the Loan Agreement form.
5.06 Prior to acceptance or removal of any object on loan an
agreement shall be reached as to the responsibility of additional costs regarding
repair or preservation of object. This information shall be included on the Loan
Agreement Form.
5.07 In a situation where transportation costs are involved a
written agreement prior to shipping shall be obtained. This agreement shall state
mode of transport and responsibility of all costs. This information shall be included
on the Loan Agreement form.
ARTICLE VI – DEACCESSION
6.01 The criteria for deaccession consideration are as follows:
A. Removal of an object in order to strengthen the collection.
B. Does not fit within the scope of the collection.
C. The object has lost its authenticity.
D. The object is redundant to the museums purpose.
E. The Museum is unable to care for or store the object.
F. The object is in poor physical condition.
G. There has been accidental loss or destruction of the object.
H. The object has greater relevancy to another museum.
ARTICLE VII – ACCESS TO COLLECTION
7.01 The Curator shall be responsible for controlling
access to, and use of, the exhibit and study collections.
7.02 Subject to the primary consideration of the preservation
and safety of the collection, the Museum shall permit any legitimate researcher
(including elementary and secondary students) under appropriate supervision to
have access to the collection for study purposes.
ARTICLE VIII – COLLECTION MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES MANUAL
8.01 The purposes of the Cranberry Portage Heritage Museum
Corporation’s Collection Management Procedures Manual are as follows:
A. To provide a logical system for the processing and management of temporary
and permanent acquisitions, loans and deaccessions.
B. To provide written procedures which will guide Museum personnel with record
keeping and artifact control.
C. To provide consistent standards that will be utilized over the years.
D. To provide on a daily basis, means of effective implementation of the Museum’s
Collection Management Policy.
ARTICLE IX – INVENTORY POLICY
9.01 On said date, the Museum shall conduct an accurate intensive inventory of all objects belonging to or on loan to the Museum.
DONE, PASSED AND ENACTED this 19th day of May 2004.
Do you have an artifact that you wish to donate to the Museum?
Please contact:
Cranberry Portage Heritage Museum
Attn: Curator
Box 71
Cranberry Portage, MB R0B 0H0
Email: cphmuseum@gmail.com