The Memory Lane Museum. What is your vision?

[downeastrailfan]

On our way back to the city yesterday, Sam Clark and I discussed our vision for Memory Lane. Here it is:

Sam mentioned how the hardwood floor in the waiting area is warped up in a few places. Enough so that it might be a tripping hazard. One of the electrical switches kept cutting out, so I wonder about the condition of the building's wiring - its probably old and due for replacement. This got me thinking about a total restoration, just like the Annapolis Royal station. Reason being that there isn't any publicly accessible DAR station museum other than Middleton. Annapolis, while restored to a high standard, is not set up to be viewed by the public.

The freight shed has been insulated in the walls and ceiling, has new patio style doors behind the sliding exterior doors (not visible from the outside), inside wall trim and a new heating system. I was very pleased to see this. This space was formerly used to host yard sales, but that is no longer taking place. Future View was using a nearby building for storage, but it had to be vacated, and the freight shed is now used for storage for such things as the lawnmower, various tools, etc. A used 40' shipping container for $4000 utilized for storage would free up this space.

Back to the grand vision. Now that the freight shed has been improved, it would be ideal to move most of the museum collection in it, along with building a large HO scale model railway. The station itself could then be restored to its former glory, removing the busy photo displays and installing a few vintage CPR travel posters, etc. The model railway could be removed from the operator's bay, and restore that space to a historical display. Don Foster has expressed interest in loaning some of his collection to Middleton.

The Province owns the building, and it is currently leased to Future View at $1 for 10 years. If money is to be invested, shouldn't ownership be transferred from the Province to Future View?

Now, how would we make this happen? Obviously we're talking a lot of money. Are members of this site willing to contribute financially? What about a private-non profit partnership to rent the station space out as a cafe or gift shop (as the Salem & Hillsborough has done with its new station)? I've met with Terry on a number of occasions, met Ron once, but I don't know anyone on the board of directors, so I have no idea how dynamics at the museum actually work. I started the slide scanning thread five years ago, and Sam and I are just starting with the prints and documents. Its pretty clear that what we need are boots on the ground at Middleton. Steve has expressed interest in this once he retires. Moving to Middleton is something I'm considering, should this project move forward. Living in Halifax is too far away.

I realize I have presented some big ideas on this site. The rail bikes and tourist train proposals on the W&H I see happening as a for-profit venture, and Bob Schmidt (owner of the railway) is open to both proposals. My goal is to facilitate discussion between Bob and interested parties, not to recruit volunteers, or to become directly involved, unless it was a paid position. In the meantime, I'm awaiting a decision from CN about the sale of the Windsor Branch before anything more can be done.

[SamuelMClark]

Plus I had noticed that on the ceiling the paint was chipping off, plus the grounds them self need some clean up, and replace a few windows as they are broken. Though it would be nice to replace all the glass in the windows with UVA & UVB treated so then the sun light that does come in won't be as damaging to the collection. And repaint the outside and also give it the proper paint scheme.

As Matt mentioned the Freight shed had been redone, which would be a great area for having a small café (maybe with free wifi) and setting up a HO scale layout (My thoughts are Middleton down to Digby. Have Middleton being almost to scale to show off Middleton's Rail history). And by having the model layout in the freight shed part it would free up the operator bay which could be restored. Another idea which could be used in the freight shed section is to have a yearly local model train show competition of HO scale diorama setups which can only be on 4'x2' sections of plywood. Which could then maybe as a fund raiser part, auction off some of the dioramas if the builder chooses. Though the Winner could be kept on display for the season. And each year we could have different requirements for the build so one year it could be a Winter scene, then the next switching or best historical setup of grand pre.

Though one key thing that would have to be changed maybe if the fright shed was to be used, it that we might need to put a wheel chair ramp in between the passenger level and the freight level though there is one outside of the Freight doors

The collection it self needs a clean up, there are train related items that should be removed as they are (A) Not Related to NS Rail History (B) They are toys. Another idea I had would be to not display everything but to rotate though different items so every time person A comes in there would be something new for them to look at. Also put the uniforms into proper display cases to keep then clean and good for years to come.

I do like the idea they have with the G scale boxcars have local business who donate get their logo and contact information posted on a boxcar for the season to advertise and give them a tax recipe to make it even more inviting to them.

I know that if I lived closer to Middleton I'd go and clean up the grounds, mow the lawn more pull weeds, and setup some flower beds to make the ground look good. And all my HO track would be donated for the possible future HO layout with some of my DAR HO scale on loan plus rolling stock that would add to the layout and not take from it.

One thing I was thinking of doing once Matt and I scan their slide collection was maybe to pay for a safety deposited box with a bank in Middleton to put the slides in for a future safe keeping. Though that would have to be approved by Future View.

[stem]

Thanks for sharing that Matt. I think you've got something quite workable there. One wonders if someone wouldn't donate an old sea can.

Moving the collection into the refurbished shed is a great idea. Professional displays and cabinets? Wonder who could help out here.

Restoring the original part of the station with the appropriate accoutrements would look fabulous.

As for the issue of the station and the province, I think one of the first things that need to be done is the station should apply for historical status which would protect it against falling into the wrong hands or ever being razed or removed.

I worry about the electrical issues you mentioned. Yikes. The station could burn in a flash and that would be the end of it all.