Mississippi Valley Textile Museum launches Adopt-a-Window campaign

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Tara Gesner

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Windows and sills at the back of the museum's original warehouse need restoration. The Adopt-a-Window campaign launched this week.

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Windows and sills at the back of the museum's original warehouse need restoration. The Adopt-a-Window campaign launched this week.

EMC News - The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum (MVTM) in Almonte launched its latest fundraiser this week - the Adopt-a-Window campaign.

The goal of the drive is $6,900, said Michael Rikley-Lancaster, executive director/curator of the MVTM.

"Our first Adopt-a-Window campaign took place in 2008 to restore the original office windows," he said, " and it went extremely well."

As a National Heritage Site (designated in 1986), "it is a matter of some urgency" that the museum now restore and repair 23 windows and sills at the back of the original warehouse.

The years and the Valley's brutal climate have worked their mischief and the windows need to be restored and made energy-efficient, while preserving their heritage characteristics.

"The wind really hits that side of the building," said Rikley-Lancaster. "Paint is peeling and the wood sills have rotted away."

Businesses, individuals and organizations are invited to adopt a large window by way of a donation of $300, or they can sponsor a half window through a $150 gift. Names will be added to a plaque at the museum specifying which windows have been adopted.

As a registered charitable organization, all donations receive a receipt for tax purposes.

"Without our donors we could not keep the doors of the museum open," said Rikley-Lancaster. "They are passionate, strong textile art supporters."

Even though the Adopt-a-Window campaign just launched, already $2,100 has been raised - seven windows worth.

The MVTM raises about $30,000 to $40,000 each year from donations.

Once the funds are raised, the project will go to tender, said Rikley-Lancaster. He would love to see work start in May.

For additional information about the Adopt-a-Window campaign, please contact the MVTM at 613-256-3754 (ext. 7) or info@mvtm.ca.

The MVTM is located at 3 Rosamond St. E.

LET'S DANCE

Featuring the "outstanding" musical talent of the Bowes Brothers, the Friends of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum are set to host a fundraising dance on Friday, March 30 at the Civitan Hall. The affair will run from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Festivities include door prizes, a 50/50 draw and refreshments (sandwiches and sweets) at 11 p.m. Drinks will be for sale at the bar.

The Bowes Brothers are true blue sons of the soil with deep roots in Carleton Place, and their heartfelt songwriting attests to the trials and triumphs of country life, stated a news release. They have shared the stage with stars like Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie Prophet and Michelle Wright.

Dance tickets - available at the door, MVTM and Baker Bob's - cost $15 per person.

tgesner@perfprint.ca