New Building – Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Our First Display in CK Library

March 6, 2023 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Today, Lucille set up the first archival display in the new Cut Knife Library space. It showcases the Courier’s feature articles on the installation of the World’s Largest Tomahawk. Before too long, the CMMM will have set up multiple display cases within the Library with revolving exhibits.

A year-round exhibit space has been the museum’s dream for years. The former Good Shepherd Church at 113 Broad Street has been renovated to form two spaces: the Cut Knife Municipal Library accessed through the front door, and eventually, the Museum Administration and Archives Center (MAAC) visited – by appointment – through the north side door. Next time you’re in the Library, check out the exhibits and let us know what you think.

~ Debbie M.

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum is on Instagram.

Archives, Museum

Many hands DO make light work

November 13, 2022November 13, 2022 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

12 helpers and 2 mini-helpers arrived Saturday morning ready to work. Randy’s To-Do list was extensive, complete with something for everyone to tackle: From washing windows to cleaning bathrooms; from replacing ceiling tiles to putting in door-stops to putting up shelves; from organizing the kitchen to programming door locks to wiping down chairs, to vacuuming, sweeping and washing floors – everyone was kept busy. Some volunteers even stayed beyond noon to check off a few more items on the list. Our mini-helpers were amazing too. They dusted; they helped Rick with a multitude of tasks, and they remained cheerful for a good three hours!

A few photos:

kitchen cleanup crew — Lucille, Terri & Janice cleaned and organized the kitchen – even making coffee for a mid-morning break.

cleaning the kid's chairs — Jean cleaning the children’s chairs, moving on soon afterwards to… more chairs!

Caught Randy on his way to do more painting and Lyle getting started on shelves for the storage room.

paint touch ups — This is Christine touching up the baseboard paint. She’s already circled the space working on the doors and walls.

Colton (on the ladder) and Chris replacing stained ceiling tiles.

Our sincere thanks to each person who was able to take the time Saturday morning to help the Library and the Museum move that-much-closer to moving in. Your support is very much appreciated.

Missing from photos Rick B, Debbie H., Debbie M., and James & Albert S.

~ Debbie M.

Archives, Museum

Volunteer Crew Needed

November 8, 2022November 9, 2022 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Folks, we’re almost ready to move in to the new Library / Museum building. The walls are painted; flooring has been installed; minor renovations completed; the electricians are done (we think). It’s touch-up time because… moving in is next!

6 – 8 people needed to help us make the space ‘move-in-ready.’

WHEN: Saturday, November 12 from 9am – noon
WHERE: 113 Broad Street (the former Good Shepherd Church)
WHAT ELSE: Tools, brooms, cleaning supplies will be provided. Please bring your own water bottle.

R.S.V.P.s appreciated. Email the museum at cmmmcutknife@gmail.com or speak with Randy.

THANK YOU!

~ Debbie M.

Archives, Board

Just a Peek…

September 3, 2022September 3, 2022 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Away back, in early June, you heard about this: The MAAC is moving… but not yet.

Today, Randy was patching the floor in the new building, and Jean and I were sweeping and vacuuming up the construction debris, all in preparation for the new flooring to be installed on Tuesday.

Of course, I took a few photos of Jean and Randy working. With luck, though, I also caught a few features of what’s coming to the new space.

Randy patching the floor — Randy’s plugging wood cutouts into holes in the floor. Behind him, are the CK Library’s new paint colours. They’re beautiful!

Here’s a sense of how large the main Library space is. Between Jean and the former stage will be aisles of library books AND display cases for rotating exhibits of museum artifacts and archival materials. We’re REALLY excited about that.

Along the far wall in front of Jean is the former stage, which will be transformed into the children’s corner with kid’s size furniture, etc.

Be forewarned: Moving Days for the Library and the Museum are approaching. Volunteers will be greatly appreciated.

~ Debbie M.

Museum

The MAAC is moving… but not yet

June 5, 2022June 5, 2022 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

If you’ve heard a rumour that the Museum Administration and Archives Centre (MAAC) will be moving to a different location, well, that rumour would be correct. The museum has long wanted a permanent year-round facility for its administration and archives but also a publicly accessible space with display cases for rotating exhibits. Our current home at 201 Railway Avenue was the former RM of Cut Knife Office. It was very kindly made available to us by the RM along with their support for the renovations we made to the building to preserve the archival materials and unique artifacts in our care.

Since last year, we’d been working with the Town of Cut Knife, the RM of Cut Knife, and the Cut Knife Library to build or to find a facility which both the Library and Museum could share. In April 2022, the Good Shepherd Church at 113 Broad Street disbanded and approached the Town with an offer to sell.

The Town approached the R.M. with the idea that the two municipal governments could partner to create a new space suitable for the Cut Knife Library, and potentially, the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum. The building is solid, with a new roof and recent upgrades. The Town and R.M. will provide assistance with any remodeling requirements that are necessary to serve the public.
New Community Building, Town of Cut Knife, April 4, 2022

On Friday, April 1, Town of Cut Knife Mayor Gwenn Kaye and R.M. of Cut Knife Reeve Brett Robertson received the keys to 113 Broad Street from Jeremy Brown, Board Chair of the Good Shepherd Church.

When are we moving in? Hopefully, as soon as the interior painting has been completed!

~ Debbie M.