The South Peace Regional Archives have outgrown their space in the Grande Prairie Museum and will be moving some items into new a storage area. The new space in Co-Operators Square will house all of the items from their previous offsite storage area and the overflow from their current location. The move of the offsite items was completed mid-February after concerns about potential rodent issues in the old space.
The new space will allow for better moisture and temperature control. It’s ground floor location makes it ideal since the weight of archival material is something that has to be taken in to account when looking at facilities.
The archives were before a city committee earlier this month looking for an additional $12,000. Executive Director Alyssa Currie says that will help them cover the moving expenses and costs for the extra space.
“That will allow us to accommodate the special donations that are coming in. As well it will allow us to do some of the preliminary process that makes those items accessible to us.”
City administration has been directed to work with the archives to determine a plan to cover the funding shortfall.
Curry says they have noticed an uptick in donations this past year which is leading to the need for new space. Board Member Jan Shields believes an awareness campaign their board undertook is paying off.
“We’re growing at a relatively steady but slower rate. With the knowledge that’s gone out to the community from our organizations, our businesses, our government places and our individuals we’re getting a lot more stuff in and it’s coming fast.”
The materials can even come from unexpected places. The creation of the Facebook group “Grande Prairie and Region Back in the Day” has led to some great interactions according to Currie.
“In the first 12 days something like 11,000 people had joined the group. They’re sharing photos from their time in Grande Prairie or they’re looking for photos for certain things. That’s an example of a really organic interest from the community that we’re able to engage with.”
Currie says she is encouraged by the level of interest the local community has in the history of the region. The archives will continue to share space day to day at the Grade Prairie Museum, the move is just impacting mostly unprocessed and archival items materials. Their records library and public items will remain at the museum.
They are also always open to volunteers to help with archiving and transcription projects.