Mississippi Valley Textile Museum receives $29,900 OTF grant from Ontario government
On Friday, Dec. 6, local MPP John Jordan met with the team at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum to hear more about the $29,900 Capital grant they received from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to begin building a new accessible kitchen.
Food is an important part of gatherings and culture, and the project will empower the museum to better serve the local community by making food accessible for special events, rentals, and community gatherings, and opening new opportunities for workshops with the museum’s dye garden.
“Almonte’s compelling brand of historic charm, innovative entrepreneurship and welcoming diversity is well represented by the events and exhibits presented by the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum,” said John Jordan, MPP for Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston. “This investment of $29,900 will assist in taking the art of tourism up one more notch! Congratulations to a creative and hard-working team for expanding the opportunities to engage with residents and visitors by adding a little “flavor” to the textile experience.”
The museum’s previous kitchen was completely inaccessible on the second floor and inadequate for food preparation and storage. With the grant from OTF, the previous kitchen has been converted to much needed office space, while the walls have been constructed for the new kitchen on the ground floor, with a passthrough window into the Norah Rosamond Hughes Gallery. The project is incomplete, however, and the museum is seeking further funds to complete this commercial-grade, accessible kitchen. The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is looking forward to the kitchen playing a central role in community gatherings and programs.
“Food is a powerful connector, and the museum is excited to be able to provide an accessible kitchen to elevate our gatherings, programming, and special events. We are grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for this contribution and know that it will have a huge impact on both the museum and the local community,” said Michael Rikley-Lancaster, Executive Director and Curator of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum.
The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is committed to collecting, preserving, and telling the stories of the local mill workers and labour history, while offering an open, inclusive space for the local community and visitors from across the globe. Please visit the website at: https://mvtm.ca/whats-on/fibrefest/
“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like Mississippi Valley Textile Museum deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help ensure they remain at the heart of the community for decades to come.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit https://otf.ca to learn more.