Big Changes Ahead for the Clarence-Rockland Museum

At its regular meeting, Municipal Council resolved that the Board of the Clarence-Rockland Public Library will assume the governance and management responsibilities of the museum. 

The Clarence-Rockland Museum is thus entering a new era with the implementation of its strategic plan, which outlines key issues, strategic objectives, and directions for the next five years. A governance agreement between the City of Clarence-Rockland and the Public Library will soon be negotiated, paving the way for an innovative and dynamic collaboration. 

A Dynamic Team for a Modern Museum 

The Clarence-Rockland Museum, open since April 2010, has been overseen by Mr. Gilles Chartrand, a dedicated community volunteer. Earlier this year, Mr. Chartrand was awarded the King Charles III Medal in recognition of his outstanding commitment to the museum. 

The museum will now be managed and administered by the Board and staff of the Clarence-Rockland Public Library, under the leadership of Ms. Catherina Moskau, Chief Executive Officer and History graduate from McGill University in Montreal. 

This new management structure will make the Clarence-Rockland Museum eligible for grants, which is currently not the case. 

Highlighting Clarence-Rockland’sHistory 

One of the Library’s new priorities will be to inventory and catalogue the museum’s artifacts. During this process, residents who have loaned items to the museum over the past few years will have the opportunity to retrieve them or officially donate them to the museum. 

It’s important to note that during this period of review and cataloguing, the museum will be closed to visitors. The closure is scheduled to begin on June 27, and a reopening date has not yet been determined. 

The renewed Clarence-Rockland Museum will have the mission of showcasing and interpreting the municipality’s history—from the founding of the Edwards Sawmill and the development of rural communities to the present day.