Speaker Series

From Cabinets of Curiosity to Contemporary Culture: Museums in Community

Tuesday 1 April, 1:30-3pm
Tuesday 8 April, 1:30-3pm

A community museum plays a special role in any community’s life, providing opportunities to understand the place where we live and to build pride and connections among community members. From 17^th-century cabinets of curiosities to 21^st-century cultural hubs, museums continue to evolve, offering perspectives on contemporary society. In the first session, we look back at how the museum came to be and the role of community museums. In the second session, we’ll continue to explore the important role of community museums, with opportunities for discussion about the Sooke Region Museum of the future and how we can respond to the changes we are experiencing throughout the region.

Presenter: Michelle Richard, executive director of the Sooke Region Museum and Visitor Centre, will lead the sessions with guest presenters. Michelle has a background in history, art history, and cultural resource management, and has worked in community arts and cultural heritage for more than 20 years.

Tuesday 1 April – special guest Dr. Megan Hull will share some of her research about nostalgia and social capital in museums, using the Sooke Region Museum as a case study.