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Ground floor of Creamery and still not the final version!
21st Century.August 2007
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia Canada


Credits:
Skyline Atlantic Canada

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In 2007, Skyline Atlantic Canada submitted an interpretation plan for the 'Tatamagouche Creamery Interactive Museum'; This detailed their ideas, many of which were to be incorporated into the Heritage Centre.
The Ground Floor layout shows the Reception area basically as it is today. The Anna Swan exhibit was on this floor and more space was designated for the Creamery display; the Activity Room was larger, the intention being that it could be used as a classroom or small theatre,. The fossil area had railings and ramps and it was here that most changes took place . A larger space was demanded and eventually acquired for the fossil display, to the cost of the Activity room, and Creamery display. In order to give space for the latter, the Anna Swan exhibit went upstairs .

The old boiler still existed at the back - and it was here that the hologram of what is now known as 'Boiler Bob' was created - appearing from behind the boiler and telling the story of the Creamery.


Before any of this could take place much renovation and repair had to completed

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Work on the Creamery.
2006/7
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia Canada


Credits:
North Shore Archives

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Ceilings were re-enforced, walls stripped, windows blocked on the inside although appearing as windows outside; rooms created and others removed; a chimney strengthened, - in fact a complete gutting and rebuilding of the interior. Meanwhile all kinds of problems appeared during the exterior work which took time and ingenuity (and money) to solve.

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Interior modfications
2006/7
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia Canada


Credits:
Creamery Square Project Office

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The second floor remains much as the plan indicates except the Anna Swan museum moved again.The Archives occupy the Heritage Resource Centre and the free standing display panels were reduced in size but still with the curio cabinet. Near the exit door at the back there is now a ship-building exhibit, with artifacts displayed in what appears to be part of a constructed wooden vessel.

There are various attractive interpretive panels associated with artefacts...the panels possibly restrict any radical changes in displays. although alternative appropriate artefacts can be used.

A sound track gives the impression of men at work - a mixture of hammering, clanging, whistling, calling, carts and horses....... in the Anna Swan room is background music appropriate to the period,

Since opening in 2009 a small Scottish exhibit has been added along the wall before the elevator. This reflects the early settlers from Scotland,- many of their descendents are living in the area.

It is hoped that other small temporary exhibits using stored artefacts can be developed and displayed perhaps using the Activity Room. Indeed this room has had a photographic display of old school houses and the pupils, and another of former Oktoberfest activities. A show case in the Reception area, often has displays from private collections...these have included - Early children's books, Victorian needlework tools, early Snuff boxes, Mauchlne ware, early Paperweights and local wood carving of animals. This area also comes into use for displays during the Blueberry Festival. The summer of 2013 will have displays of the costumes worn in many of the highly successful Betty Murray plays of the 1980's, which told of various aspects of life in the village and area.

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Heritage Centre 2007 plan
2007
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia Canada


Credits:
Skyline Atlantic Canada

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So the one time idea of having a small theatre within the Creamery, was abandoned, but the concept of a Performing Arts Centre remained but as a separate building.

Meanwhile the Heritage Centre was completed and opening celebrations took place in June 2009

However what was shown to be feasible10 years ago does not hold good today. Tourism varies from year to year, according to the state of the economy, and Provincial Government funds,and the visitor flow has never been as expected from the earlier studies. So meeting budgets and raising funds is always a headache! An admission charge of $5.00 for Adults, $4.00 for Seniors and Students, with children under 12 free and a Family ticket of $10.00 (2 adults and 2 childrren) does not seem unreasonable - and is essential if the Centre is to continue. Special Event Days have so far been free, with a donation box evident. An endowment would be helpful!

The volunteers - all of retirement age- and the Summer Students - work hard at making the Centre an attractive place to visit, and there have been many compliments and surprised comments at how good the Heritage Centre is. There are still people in the village who have never visited the place - and probably never will, and even some who do not know the Centre exists! Perhaps they disapprove or never see the articles in the local paper, the Special Event Posters, The Newsletters, or Fund Raising efforts.....

Some of the volunteers spend many hours identifying the articles on display and stored in the Shed building; all need up to date accession numbers, to be photographed, listed, and described. At some stage in the past, various records seem to have disappeared so histories of some artefacts need to be researched where possible - all this in order to meet the required standards of the Nova Scotia Museum Association. But it is fascinating work and the volunteers enjoy it. In 2011 the Association held their annual conference in Tatamagouche, with the Creamery Square Heritage Society as hosts.

The attractive Gift Shop adjacent to the Admissions area, is stocked by a volunteer who makes every effort to ensure that most items for sale are from Nova Scotia and the Maritimes.


What actually is in the Heritage Centre ? It is time to find out, but let it be said now that the running of the Centre depends upon the hard work of a few unpaid people aided during the height of the summer season, by grant paid Summer students. When the students have left it would be extremely difficult to maintain even the modified opening hours if it were not for a group of other volunteers who make themselves available during the 'shoulder season'. We could not manage without them and we are so grateful for their help.