The Town of Tillsonburg has rolled out a new cultural master plan.
This document, which the council approved on Aug. 10, outlines various initiatives and action items for programs throughout the town, while also ensuring the future of the Annandale National Historic Site.
The site is set to become a “flagship heritage and storytelling hub,” a “programming and exhibition venue,” a “community gathering and learning space,” a “major tourism destination,” and a “core municipal cultural institution and partnership platform.”
“Annandale National Historic Site will be a trusted cultural anchor for Tillsonburg, a place where heritage is preserved with care, interpreted with honesty, and experienced as something alive and relevant,” the plan reads. “(The site) will grow as a destination for learning and reflection, where the history of this community is not simply kept, but actively explored, celebrated, and passed forward.”
Prepared by Jon Linton and Greg Young from TCI Management Consultants along with John Summers from Canadian Museum Services, the plan also suggests expanding public art, creating an Indigenous cultural partnership program, developing an Annandale cultural hub, and increasing QR codes along town walking trails.
“There are many different dimensions to it that include experiences, events, heritage spaces, partnerships and so on,” said Young. “They include local stories that make you unique, and often what’s not appreciated is that arts and culture very much contribute to economic impact in the community and improving the quality of life for locals and visitors.”
Summers pointed out that maintaining public trust can be challenging nowadays; however, museums have managed to do just that.
“They are still seen as authoritative and trustworthy places in terms of history and heritage,” he said before advocating for enhanced staff training.
“The more (staff at Annadale House) understand the stories they tell, the more they can help the town build a real brand identity and brand story as a place to come and learn about history and heritage and belonging.”
Linton added that activities aimed at young residents will play an important role in this plan.
<p“(It) very much endorses that whole notion of youth involvement,” he said.
If you want to check out the plan yourself, visit tillsonburg. ca.
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