The Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village (CTMHV) expresses their appreciation to the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) for a $49,900 Community Building Fund grant that was used to improve connections between the museum and the community through an upgraded telecommunications system, a new website, and virtual engagement. The grant made it possible for the museum to hire a full-time Digital Program & Event Manager and a part time Digital Program & Event Assistant for one year which helped the museum to move toward digital engagement and increase the museum’s social media presence. The project was completed on September 19th, 2022 and will provide improved access to programs and events as the museum continues to adapt, recover and move forward from the recent pandemic.
“Our friends here at the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village have always done a great job at working with other area organizations, and showcasing the rich history of Essex County. We are happy to support the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village through the Trillium Foundation.” said Anthony Leardi, MPP for Essex.
The grant made it possible for the museum to hire a full-time Digital Program & Event Manager and a part-time Digital Program & Event Assistant for one full year to help the museum pivot to digital engagement and increase the museum’s social media presence. In addition, the very outdated telephone system was replaced and a new website was designed. The museum’s mission is to preserve the past for the education and interpretation of the future. Pre-Covid, the museum was visited by 40,000 people annually, 10,000 school children, and was host to many events for the community. Now, with the improvements made possible by the Community Building Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the museum can connect to many more people and share the collection of our past in new and engaging ways.
“We cannot thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Community Building Fund enough for this opportunity” said Lisa Wacheski, Curator & Manager of Education. “This grant has allowed us to take steps forward in the “great online pivot”, bolster our social media platforms, explore digital fundraising options such as the online 50/50 raffle that is in the works, and we can finally hear people on the telephone now that the old system has been replaced. We are truly grateful.”
Staff, volunteers, and members of the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village are committed to preserving the past, being accessible, and providing educational programs for the community. Our facilities are your facilities. The museum belongs to the community it serves and is a registered charitable organization with the purpose to serve the community. For more information about the CTMHV, please visit the new website at: www.ctmhv.com.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Since 2020, OTF has supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.